VAIL, Colo.—The U.S. Forest Service has approved a project in the Vail area to help stem the spread of bark beetles and make use of trees killed by the bugs.
The plan is to salvage 1,763 acres of lodgepole pines near the Upper Eagle River. The Forest Service wants to cut beetle-infested trees quickly enough so they can be used as lumber and the wildfire risk is lowered.
Experts say the trees are no good for commercial use within three to five years of dying. Getting rid of the trees after they’ve deteriorated is more expensive because the timber can’t be used.
Beetles have killed about 1.5 million of Colorado’s lodgepole pines. Drought and the lack of frigid weather that would kill the insects are believed to be contributing to the epidemic.
