CIRCULAR S64. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Figure 6. — The work of woodpeckers in search of food. Large quantities of the 

 outer bark of infested ponderosa pine trees are flaked off during the winter by 

 woodpeckers in search of western pine beetle larvae and adults. 



Direct Control 



In searching for a satisfactory direct method of destroying the 

 western pine beetle, as a supplement to natural control, the Bureau 

 has tried practically all known or suggested measures, ranging from 

 the first simple approach of felling an infested tree and burning the 

 bark to the use of radio waves and electrocution. As a result only two 

 practical methods of direct control can be recommended — the fell-peel- 

 burn method, and control by logging infested trees. 



As the name implies, the fell -peel -burn method consists in felling 

 an infested tree, peeling it. and burning the bark (fig. 7). The usual 

 practice is to peel the bark from the upper half or side of the trunk 

 and pile it along the unbarked lower half, and then burn the bark. 

 Limbs, portions of the top. and other inflammable material are 

 usually piled along the trunk to hold the fire and make it hotter. 

 Group- of -mall infested trees are usually felled, bucked, and decked. 



