What is being done to minimize bark beetle damage in the park?
State Parks has been improving forest health at the Staunton site over the last 10 years. By thinning trees, park managers are reducing competition for sunlight, water and nutrients, thereby making the remaining trees healthier and giving them a better chance to fight off the mountain pine beetle (MPB). Unfortunately, the evidence from Grand County suggests that with the current populations of MPB, even pre-thinned stands can be decimated – all parks managers can hope is that the MPB pressure at Staunton is less than what Grand County has experienced. Park managers have also been working to establish multi-age stands of trees, which should help to reduce any MPB impacts.
