INSECT ENP]MIES OF WESTERN FORESTS IgQ 



ing should be downhill and against the Avind so that the fire can 

 be controlled. Burning, if done by experienced men, can be han- 

 dled Avithout injury to the forest. Ordinarily the fire is not hot 

 enough to burn the logs, and if at all accessible they can be used 

 for lumber if taken out within a year or two. 



The fell-dech-hurn method 



The fell-deck-burn method is one of the most economical control 

 methods and is particularly useful in the control of bark beetles 

 infesting trees of small diameter (fig. 91) such as small ponderosa 

 pine, lodgepole pine, or western white pine, infested with the moun- 

 tain pine beetle or Black Hills beetle, especially where large groups 

 of trees are infested. By using tractors or teams even the larger 

 trees can be handled for treatment by this method. 



Figure 91. — Burning in declvS is an economical mciliod of treating bark beetle-infeyted 



trees of small diameter. 



The trees are felled usually in one direction, and then by using 

 peavies, are hand-rolled into piles, or dragged by horses or tractors 

 into openings where they can be bunched into large decks. No 

 peeling is necessary, except occasionally on the outer surfaces of the 

 outer logs. The whole pile is then fired and usually is completely 

 consumed. 



This is a very satisfactory method where it can be used and is not 

 only more economical than the fell-peel-burn method but leaves the 

 forest free from the fire hazard of fallen logs and piles of brush. 

 This method also permits the control work to start before the close 

 of the fire season in the fall since the piles can be prepared, and the 

 burning done at a later date. Since the burning of decked logs 

 throws out a terrific heat, the size of the piles should be adjusted to 



