To cut or not to cut: When to clear dead spruce trees

Correction: A previous version of this story stated that those seeking to cut spruce trees should wait until the period of May to July. Foresters suggest avoiding cutting from April through July to prevent the spread of beetles. The story text has been updated.

The spruce beetle epidemic combined with an early spring in South Central Alaska is creating challenges for landowners and residents. Typically, firewood gathering is common in March and April while the ground is still frozen. However, forest health specialists suggest to avoid cutting from April through July to disrupt trees as to avoid further infestation of the spruce beetle.

The Department of Resources has provided a website, www.alaskasprucebeetle.org that has up-to-date information on identification, treatment, and management of the widespread problem of spruce beetle kill. 

KTNA’s Katie Writer spoke with Steve Nickel, Area Forester of Mat-Su and Southwest Alaska as well as Talkeetna resident, Audrey Ebner about the complexities of dealing with large and infested spruce trees.