White pine workshop set for June 21

Blister rust is a non-native disease that devastated western white pine trees in the Inland Northwest. Pruning the lower branches of young white pine can increase their survival by half. A workshop titled “Pruning to Restore White Pine”, to be held Friday, June 21, at the Inn at Priest Lake, 5310 Dickensheet Road, Coolin, will help foresters, family forest owners, and forestry contractors learn how to combat white pine blister rust through pruning.

The program will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The morning will feature presentations on: white pine blister rust biology; pruning and thinning for blister rust; economic and biological considerations to pruning white pine; and pruning techniques and equipment. An afternoon field trip will feature: pruned and unpruned white pine; and hands-on exercises related to blister rust canker identification, blister rust hazard analysis, and pruning methods (using a variety of tools).

The program is eligible for 4 Society of American Foresters CFE credits, 2 Idaho pesticide recertification credits and 6 Idaho Pro-Logger credits. Those wishing to participate should pre-register at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Bonner County by Friday, June 14. A $20.00 registration fee covers handouts and refreshments. For registration questions, contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Bonner County at (208) 263-8511. Registration forms can also be downloaded at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry. Online registration with a credit card is also available for $22 at www.uidaho.edu/whitepine.

For program questions, contact Chris Schnepf at 208-446-1680. The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S. Forest Service.