The City of Bend Utility Department is partnering with Bend Park and Recreation District, OSU Extension Office and Oregon Department of Forestry to remove bark beetle-infested trees from Overturf Butte.
Recently, pine trees with brown tops and red needles were discovered on private land on Overturf Butte, adjacent to land owned by the City and Bend Park and Recreation District. The Oregon Pine Engraver Beetle was identified as the cause of the dead trees. To minimize the impact of the infestation, the private land owners removed their infected trees. However, other trees in the area were identified as being infested with the beetles.
The City and its partners developed an effective and cost-efficient plan for removing beetle-infested trees and preventing further spread of the beetle. This plan includes removing infected trees from the Overturf Butte area. During the removal period, Overturf Butte trails and the dog park in the area will be closed.
The public is invited to a community information meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, in the Community Room of the Bend Park and Recreation District building, 799 SW Columbia St., for more information about the infestation, the plan for removing beetle-infested trees and reducing fire fuels.
For more information about the bark beetle eradication project or the upcoming informational meeting, please contact Mike Edwards at 541-317-3000 (Opt. 2) or visit www.bendoregon.gov/utilities.
