Registration due July 25 for "Forest Insect & Disease Field Day" in Bonners Ferry

Nearly everyone has seen dead trees dotting northern Idaho forests. Most of the trees you notice were killed by bark beetles, but many other insects and diseases kill trees, often in less visible ways.

Native insects and diseases are a natural part of the forest, but they sometimes kill more trees than we want them to, especially when we have (often unknowingly) created a favorable environment for them. Unfortunately, many people do not act on insect and disease issues until they see conspicuous symptoms. Most methods to minimize forest insects and disease problems are preventative and should be implemented before problems become obvious.

On Friday, Aug. 1, the "Forest Insect & Disease Field Day" will give participants firsthand exposure to a wide range of organisms that impair the growth of trees and forests in northern Idaho, including various bark beetle species; Armillaria and other root diseases; white pine blister rust; Indian paint fungus, pini rot and other stem decays; and dwarf mistletoes. Experts will help participants identify insect and disease symptoms and discuss practical long- and short-term methods of dealing with them.

The program meets at 8 a.m. at the Boundary County Fairgrounds Gravel Parking Lot in Bonners Ferry and will end by 5 p.m. Those wishing to participate should pre-register by Friday, July 25. A $15 registration fee covers publications and refreshments. For registration questions, contact University of Idaho Extension Office in Boundary County at 208-267-3235. Online registration with a credit card is available by going to: https://marketplace.uidaho.edu/ then scrolling to and clicking on "University of Idaho Extension: Panhandle Forestry." Registration forms for mailing can also be downloaded at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/programs.

The program is eligible for four Idaho pesticide recertification credits and eight Idaho Pro-Logger credits. The Forest Insect & Disease Field Day is an Idaho Forest Stewardship program, co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands, and many other agencies and organizations.