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Show Low arborist and resident urge removal of beetle-killed pines, offer disposal guidance
Summary
City arborist JD and a resident (Mike) described signs of ips bark beetle infestation in Show Low pines, warned that heavily infested trees must be removed, and advised residents to chip, haul or burn slash; the city offered contact info for green-waste disposal.
JD, who identified himself as the city’s arborist, and a local resident called Mike discussed how homeowners in Show Low can spot and respond to ips bark beetle infestations. The arborist said residents should contact the city or the fire department for guidance on where to take green waste.
The resident described the first signs to look for: “The biggest thing is just educating yourself and keeping an eye out for faded needles,” he said, and recommended stepping back to check a tree’s canopy and bark before looking closer for pitch tubes — small sap-filled bumps that indicate a beetle has bored into the trunk. He also defined frass as the sawdust-like boring dust the beetles push out of entry holes and noted that woodpecker activity often reveals live or recent infestations.
Speakers identified the insect as the ips beetle and described it as very small — “like the size of a grain of rice.” They warned that an infested tree can host large numbers of beetles and that heavy infestations leave trees effectively dead. One speaker said that once trees are infested “there is absolutely nothing you can do about it,” and the conversation emphasized removal rather than treatment for heavily infested pines.
On disposal, speakers recommended removing dead trees and disposing of slash by chipping, hauling off, or burning; one speaker preferred burning because it reduces the risk of transporting beetles around the city. Practical tips included bucking logs into small piles before burning and avoiding leaving large piles of wood on site where they could increase fire risk.
For residents seeking help, JD directed people to the city’s resources: call the city office or the fire department or check the City of Show Low website for locations that accept green waste and guidance on safe disposal. The discussion closed with an emphasis on inspection, prompt removal of dead trees, and using city channels for disposal information.
