Breckenridge Real Estate Blog

Residents of Summit County Colorado homes are quite aware of the attack of the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB).  Forearmed with information, they are watchdogs for Breckenridge real estate, properties in Keystone CO, and homes near Dillon.  Although there is an ancient relationship between pine beetles and pine trees, managing the land like the native peoples did reduces the impact on the forest.  Owners of Summit County CO real estate can also be proactive. 

The Mountain Pine Beetle attacks the Rocky Mountains in cycles every 20 to 30 years.  They swept through the area in the 1970s and returned in recent years.  Both forest stand conditions and weather patterns affect the outbreaks.  Primary targets are Ponderosa, Lodgepole, Scotch, and Limber pines.  Bristlecone and Pinion pine are less commonly attacked.  MPB normally do not attack seedlings, saplings, or pole-sized trees. 

During the early stages of an outbreak, the insects attack trees that are weakened through stress.  Stress can be caused by construction damage, over-crowded stands, fire damage, lightening, soil compaction, mistletoe infection, and old age.  Once they reach epidemic levels, they strike any favorite tree but prefer those that are larger in diameter.

Natives used fire to promote desired plants for food and medicine, to clear land, and to provide forage for game.  European settlers also cleared the land.  Fur trappers hunted beaver, greatly impacting the streams and forests in the region.  Enter the miners, cattlemen, loggers, and the railroad—all industries that thinned out forests. 

Modern tools have been used to reconstruct the image of what forests looked like in the past.  Photographs help collaborate information. Additionally, dendrochronology studies tree rings to calculate the rate of growth, weather patterns, insect outbreaks, and fire intervals.  Layers of ash at varying depths in the soil can also determine ancient fire regimes.  The beetle itself thinned forests, allowing for new and healthy growth. 

They have a one-year life cycle.  From July 15 through September 15, the new generation sets out to claim territory.  Using their highly developed sensors, they attack green trees, enter the bark, mate, and lay eggs that hatch the next year.  After the invasion, the tree is effectually dead, although it retains its green color throughout the winter before turning yellow, beige, and red. 

To deter them, pine stands can be thinned before the insects get to the area.  A wide range of techniques includes horse logging, tractor skidding, and helicopter logging.  Of course, fire is not a good method to use near homes.

Most property owners seek professional assistance through a tree service, which sprays individual targets every year or two.  Some people spray their own trees with Carbaryl or the recommended deterrent.  In fact, it is helpful to organize the neighborhood to treat an entire subdivision at the same time.  The Forest Service can help owners to identify infested or weak trees. 
Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates offers a wealth of information about real estate in the Rocky Mountain region.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly, professional assistance.