The roar of chain saws will be heard in a number of Kelowna parks over the next four weeks. Workers are removing trees that have been killed by pine beetles in Knox Mountain, Dilworth Mountain and Mission Ridge Parks.
More than 1,000 trees will be cut down. The logs that still have commercial value will be processed at local mills while the rest will be chipped and used as mulch on the forest floor.
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The city’s Urban Forestry Supervisor doesn’t believe Kelowna has lost the war against the pine beetle. In fact, Blair Stewart believes there is cause for cautious optimism.
Other parts of B.C. have lost up to 80% of their Ponderosa pines, but Stewart doesn’t think the Central Okanagan will be hit that hard. He hopes the worst of the infestation will be over in 5 to 10 years.
Private property owners are also being encouraged to remove infested trees.
However, Stewart warns that in order to stop the spread of the beetle, it is important to make sure the infested bark is chipped, burned or buried.
It’s estimated that more than 17.5 million hectares of land in B.C. have been infested by pine beetle.
Kelowna residents can learn more about tree removal by calling the city’s Pine Beetle Hotline at 250-469-8457.
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