Northeast Block

The Northeast (NE) Block is affectionately called the "Abused Forest Rehab Demo Area." An aggressive Armillaria fungus inhabits this area. The fungus attacks the roots of trees and has killed Douglas-fir, mature western larch and ponderosa pine of all sizes. The Douglas-fir in this block were logged in 1979-80 with a salvage cutting favoring the retention of healthy seed trees. Select remaining diseased trees were removed in 2000-2001. Wildlife snags from dead trees abound throughout the unit. We hope to demonstrate several methods of site preparation and vegetation control. Seedlings grown from the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Co-op orchard collections will be planted in select areas. Fertilizer demonstration plots will be superimposed over the planted seedlings. The amount and type of fertilizer will be based on the results of tissue samples taken from mature trees on the site.

Armillaria Root Disease (Armillaria ostoyae)

Symptoms: The crowns of affected trees will begin to thin or change color, turning yellow and eventually reddish to silver (dead) branches. Resin flows can be observed at the base of the tree trunk. Trees often produce a distressed (heavy) cone crop. Upon closer inspection a white mycelial (fungal) fan can be observed under the bark. Armillaria affects all coniferous species.

Wildlife Snag

(From MISC 0158 Great Picture on p.2)
Standing dead or defective trees are important food, shelter and nesting sources for wildlife. A healthy population of insect eating birds and mammals can help keep insect populations in check and can lengthen the interval between damaging outbreaks.

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