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Homeowners Resources
While we may not be able to do much about public land affected by beetle kill, as homeowners, we can take steps to contain the problem on our own private property.
1. Diagnosis - Infected trees must first be identified and marked.
2. Treatment - Infected trees should be cut down (before the newly hatched beetles fly out of the trees in the spring/summer), while other still healthy trees should be sprayed annually to protect them. One can spray oneself or enlist the services of a licensed preventative spray service. (see the Links page of area providers).
3. Removal - Felled trees need to be converted to chips/mulch and/or removed from the property to reduce risk of further beetle spread and to mitigate the fire danger of dead wood.
A "Homeowners' Association of Associations" Case Study: John Taylor of Eagles Nest Property Association brought together representatives from Eagles Nest, Maryland Creek, Pebble Creek, Ruby Ranch, and Willow Creek Highlands to put together an Area Fire Mitigation Task Force which has been extremely active and successful in Pine Beetle spraying and dead tree removal. Please click here to read more on their plan.
Homeowners Association representatives may contact: John Taylor: 970-262-5940, pandjtaylor@waveride.net or Pat Tormey: 970-262-2055, pbtormey@yahoo.com to arrange an inspection of their property to identify any pine beetle infestation.
Reforestation: Colorado Seedling Tree Program
For those of you interested in starting to work on reforestation for the enjoyment of generations to come, here is the web site with information on the state seedling tree program. Trees must be ordered now for spring. Pick up will be in Kremmling. The web site has a lot of information on tree and shrub varieties. Trees cost a little over $1 each. They are small and once planted will spend the first year or two working on root growth. I have some on my lot that were planted 8 - 10 years ago; they are now 3' tall.
A reminder: the only trees that grow naturally in Ruby Ranch are aspen, Englemann spruce, sub-alpine fir and lodgepole. There are descriptions on the back of the order form which give details about growing conditions. For example, "Englemann Spruce: tall tree of the subalpine zone; demands shade; 8,000' - 11,000'". Trees or shrubs planted outside of their prime growing zone will not thrive.