Beetle Kill Pine

• There is ongoing debate about the best way to prevent bark beetle damage, but one thing is certain: it’s better to recycle the wood than to burn it and release more CO2. Millions of acres of dead trees must be cleared to prevent forest fires, and that is why there is a big push to make blue stain pine the wood of choice for new housing projects. By choosing beetle kill pine, you simultaneously get beautiful wood and help recycle some of the trees that will otherwise be burned.

Over the years woodworkers, craftsmen, homeowners, and builders have found many ways to use this beautiful product. Today it is most commonly used for cabinetry, paneling, doors, and furniture. It has become quite popular because it is very low maintenance because it does not require staining or painting. If you are thinking of using Blue Stain Pine for larger projects like table tops or counters slabs must be manufactured because slabs of this size are not naturally available. The pine trees that the mountain pine beetle infest do not tend to grow large enough for these cuts.

It is important to continue to build awareness of the continuous plight of the mountain pine beetle for the sake of our forests. Harvesting and using beetle kill pine sequesters its carbon storage instead of letting it decay and adding fuel to the likelihood of forest fires.

Due to the unfortunate ravaging of millions and millions of acres of forest and the fact that the mountain pine beetle is still going strong, there is no shortage of Blue Stain Pine available. This means low prices now and in the future.

A lot beetle kill pine comes from outside of Colorado because our state doesn’t have many sawmills, due to its rugged landscape and inaccessibility. We try our best to source as much from the state as we can. Sometimes, though, the lumber does travel, but you can still save CO2 by using beetle kill pine because tons of it will be burned if not otherwise used.

The first sign of attack are holes penetrating tree bark that are surrounded by sawdust. The are referred to as “pitch tubes” and remain visible for days after the initial attack. Eventually blue colored sap begins to appear on the outside of the tree after the beetles have completed their takeover. About a year after the attack the pine needles of the tree turn red, orange, and yellow which is why beetle kill forests have a red hue from a distance. After two to four years of infestation the trees turn grey and the final death process sets in.

Eventually these infested trees fall, die, and become kindling for forest fires. However, the good news is that if these trees are harvested within 5 years of infestation these trees can be used for multiple products. One might wonder what benefit acres of dead timber could provide. The fact is, these beetles carry fungus underneath the bark that eventually turns the wood various vibrant colors often referred to as “blue stain”. The natural coloring that results presents in shades of blue, purple, yellow, orange, red, and pink. This fungus creates a completely organic unique piece of wood that has full structural integrity.

Some consumers have voiced concern over the fungus that is left in the wood after the mountain pine beetle has moved out. Not to worry! All Beetle Kill Pine is kiln dried which kills the fungus. This process is similar to a humidifier in which heated air is circulated at extremely high temperatures. The purpose of this is that this allows the wood to reach its proper moisture equilibrium for construction use.

The blue stain will not continue to grow because we kiln dry our blue stain to eliminate the fungi and leave structurally sound pine with beautiful coloring.

The mountain pine beetle shows no sign of slowing. And with higher temperatures across the globe the climate will continue to support the life and longevity of the insect. The focus for forest conservationists has turned to harvesting, reducing forest fuels, and regrowth instead of eliminating the mountain pine beetle.

This means a continued supply of Blue Stain Pine that will more than meet the demands of consumers.