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Spruce Beetle Issue in the Wasatch Front Watershed

Preface: This website has been created to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding the current spruce beetle issue, specifically to private land owners, in Salt Lake City’s Watershed Area, as defined in the Salt Lake City Watershed Ordinance, Chapter 17.04. The Spruce Beetle Team is providing the information such that the Big Cottonwood Community Council with the various subdivisions within Big Cottonwood, the Town of Alta, groups of neighbors, property managers, or other groups will be able to make the most appropriate decision for their private land.

Contact Information: Scott Zeidler (801) 538-5456 Email scottzeidler@utah.gov

Background Information:

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the State of Utah- Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, and Salt Lake City Public Utilities-Watershed Division, are working together to address the issues and impacts of spruce beetle. In 2009, the Uinta -Wasatch-Cache National Forest identified stands of Engelmann spruce trees that have been infested with a native bark beetle, specifically spruce beetle Dendroctonus rufipennis, in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. In addition to federally administered lands, the potential for a spruce beetle infestation has caused concern within the Cottonwood Communities, ski resorts, Salt Lake City Watershed Division, and private land owners.

 

Representatives from each agency, as well as contacts from Big Cottonwood Community Council and the Town of Alta, loosely named the Spruce Beetle Team, have been meeting over the past year in order to determine appropriate actions to take regarding this issue. The Spruce Beetle Team determined that Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, Watershed Division Website would be the best place to host a “clearing house” of information through website links regarding the spruce beetle and related subjects. It is our intention to provide accurate information about the insect biology, forest ecology, and treatment options for potential infestations within the watershed canyon areas.

 

Treatment Options:

There are limited treatment options for spruce beetle infestation. The process begins with the identification of host trees species on the private property. If Engelmann spruce trees exist on the property, treatment options may be considered include the following:

1) Nature’s Way, no tree removal on the private property.

2) “No–Spray” Treatment, mechanical removal of infested trees.

3) “Spray-Treatment”, Carbaryl® insecticide application to spruce trees every two years

 

Salt Lake City Public Utilities -Watershed Division is involved in this process because one of the treatment options is to use a chemical that is not listed as an approved insecticide under the SLC Watershed Ordinance 17.04.375 Herbicide, Pesticide and Fertilizer Restrictions.

a.   Special Use Permit Required by Salt Lake City Public Utilities-1530 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115

b.   No trees may be sprayed within 100 feet of any stream, lake, pond, wetland area, marsh, or other water course.

 

Planting of new native trees is one of the best proactive actions that can be taken if the spruce beetle impacts private land.

**The Spruce Beetle Team does not advocate that one treatment is preferred over another.

 Spruce Beetle Information Sources

 
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

 

Salt Lake Ranger District
•    Beetle activity on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

 
US Forest Service Forest Health Protection

•    “Bark Beetles-Are your trees at risk?”

•    “Individual Tree Protection Using Carbaryl® Insecticide for Western Conifer-Infesting Bark
      Beetles”

State of Utah – Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands
•    “SPRUCE BEETLE – a bark beetle affecting Engelmann spruce”

•    Division of Forestry website

Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities-Watershed Division

•    Salt Lake City Watershed Ordinance §17.04.375 Herbicide, Pesticide and Fertilizer
      Restrictions

•    Special Use Permit for the Application of Carbaryl®

•    Salt Lake City Corporation Ordinance 17.04 Watershed Areas

Spruce Beetles Time Line Information

 

Salt Lake County – One Million Trees for One Million People

International Society of Arboriculture- Trees Are Good

•    Tree care information including numerous pamphlets about establishing trees, tree
      care practices and seeking professional arborist services.

Utah Community Forest Council

•    A listing of Certified Arborists affiliated with the Utah Chapter of the International
      Society of Arboriculture. Disclaimer: This list is provided as an information source
      and does not represent an endorsement of any arborist by the Utah Community
      Forest
      Council. For your own assurance, request proof of insurance, a current business
      license and contact the Better Business Bureau of Utah before hiring an arborist or any
      contractor. To learn why you should hire an arborist, go to the Trees Are Good
      website.

Utah State University Forestry Extension

•    A comprehensive source for information about Utah trees and forests.

 

Intermountain Native Plant Growers Association

•    A listing of plant nurseries that distribute native species for restoration.