SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Monday, Feb. 11, 2013

Media Contact: Brian Garbisch, 605-394-6092

Cutting and Chunking Deadline Draws Near

PIERRE, S.D. - March 1 is the deadline to kill mountain pine beetles through the cut and chunk method, according to state forest health specialist Brian Garbisch.

After that date, there is no longer enough time for the tissue under the bark to dry out and degrade. The beetles will mature and fly to other trees.

Cutting and peeling, cutting and wrapping, or cutting and chipping infested trees will be effective until May 1. If hauling to a saw mill is an option, landowners should try to have that done by June 1.

State crews will soon be finished surveying and marking mountain pine beetle infested trees on private lands for this season.

The crews will have surveyed over 27,000 acres and marked over 87,000 trees on private lands throughout the Black Hills.

Landowners that have not had their property surveyed can identify infested trees themselves with help from http://beatthebeetles.com/ or contact the Resource Conservation and Forestry office at 605.394.2395 for information.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating more than $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 122,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve the industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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