Mountain Pine Beetle Spraying Workshops Held In the Black Hills
PIERRE, S.D. – Three mountain pine beetle spraying workshops will be held in the Black Hills through April and May.
The workshops, hosted by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) and the U.S. Forest Service, will focus on the benefits and methods of treating trees to protect them from mountain pine beetles. All landowners, whether they intend to do the work themselves or hire a company, are welcome.
The first workshop will be from 6:30- 8 p.m. MDT on Thursday, April 30, at Hudson Hall, 222 W. Hudson St. in Spearfish.
The second workshop will be from 6:30- 8 p.m. MDT on Tuesday, May 5, at the Canyon Lake Cottage on the Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans Home Campus in Hot Springs.
The third workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. – noon on Saturday, May 16, at the Silver City Community Hall in Silver City. This workshop will also include a demonstration on spraying trees.
The workshops will cover spraying techniques and chemicals used, and answer questions tree owners may have about treating trees. Representatives from many of the area spraying companies will be on hand to discuss their services.
“The movement of mountain pine beetles onto private lands, particularly around homes and cabins, has increased interest among landowners in spraying pines to protect them from becoming infested,” said Brian Garbisch, SDDA program administrator. “There are a number of companies in the Black Hills currently signing up customers for tree spraying.”
Spraying, if using the proper chemicals and applying at the correct rate and time, can protect pines from infestation by mountain pine beetles, even in areas with the worst outbreaks. However, improper application may not protect the trees. Once a tree is successfully attacked, there are no chemicals or treatments to save it.
Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating over $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
