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<br />CASE # 2 <br /> <br />Update on Declining Red Pines <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As the Board may know, many of the red pines in the city are in a state of decline. In some areas, <br />large stands of trees are dead or dying. This is likely the result of several different stressing <br />agents including: drought-like conditions over the past several years, attacks from European pine <br />sawflies, and the hail storm 'last May. The combination of these factors weakened these trees' <br />ability to compartmentalize or fend off pathogens that are typically considered to be weak or non- <br />lethal to trees. The result has been a somewhat rapid decline of many of the red pines throughout <br />the central portion of the community. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />Andover is experiencing a similar decline in red pine stands. Due to this, Staff from both <br />communities has been meeting with DNR representatives to discuss options that may be <br />available to property owners affected by this situation. Essentially, we're exploring what options <br />there are and how those could be implemented to assist property owners that are facing large <br />losses of trees. <br /> <br />While the current pine decline is of concern, even more alarming is the fact that this may lead to <br />greater issues with pine bark beetles. These beetles are opportunistic and seek out stressed trees <br />for breeding and to lay eggs. The eggs hatch in early spring and the larvae than tunnel into the <br />bark and disrupt the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the canopy. Unfortunately, <br />many of these trees appear to be perfect breeding grounds for these insects and thus, the current <br />situation could become greatly exaggerated if no action is taken. <br /> <br />In a joint effort with Andover, Staff is hoping to offer a workshop for impacted property owners <br />to review the situation and layout some options. Time is of the essence though and so our focus, <br />for the time being at least, will be on the greatest impacted areas, which are seen to be the highest <br />priorities. <br /> <br />EPB Action <br /> <br />No action is necessary; this is for informational purposes only. <br /> <br />EPB: 2/2/09 <br />