The question has been posed, why is the Board mandating that BTPO's remove trees that have been tagged?  The answer is quite simple, for every tree that has bark beetle infestation this year and is left in place for the beetles to fly there may be as many as ten more infested trees next year.  If one does the math progression on this it will become obvious that within a very few years we will have one of two things, either a red forest of dead trees or a myriad of stumps.
 
If someone has a situation that might limit their ability to remove trees -- we all know the state of the economy -- let me know and I will see if I can recruit a team to help out or solicit financial help from the Board. 
 
This is far too critical of an issue for us to avoid simply because it doesn't fit into our budget.
 
Larry Stevens
Forest Chair

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it is about learning to dance in the rain."


 

For those 125 or so of you who have sent your forest inspection postcard back to me, thank you.  For the remaining owners, perhaps I was not clear about the importance of this inventory or the fact that it is FREE, as in at no cost to you.  In fact, by not participating it could be argued that you are indierctly paying for a service that you will not receive. By not allowing the inspection of your property, the Colorado Forest Service representatives will have to march to the street, around your property and then back onto the next lot; an inefficiency that your annual dues will pay for.  Why not participate?

The inspection will be performed by Colorado State Forest professionals trained in the inspection of trees for bark beetle, mistletoe and other infestations that might endanger the health and beauty of our forest.  There have been some concerns raised over the potential of tagging trees with mistletoe and the fact that trees can live for decades with mistletoe; the forest service people recognize this and will only tag a mistletoe infested tree if it is succumbing to the effects of mistletoe and poses a threat to the remainder of the forest.  IT IS NOT OUR INTENT TO HAVE ALL TREES WITH MISTLETOE REMOVED OR EVEN TAGGED; ONLY THOSE THAT SHOW SIGNS OF DISTRESS.

The benefits to this comprehensive inspection will bring peace of mind to the entire BTPOA by insuring that we have a healthy forest.  For those who are around when we pass through, it will offer an educational opportunity for the forest service to give advice on what to look for in blight infestation and options on remediation.  And did I say it is at NO COST TO THE OWNER, that is to say FREE.

The permit postcard was mailed to the mailing address of record, so if you did not receive it, please let Steve Fuhrman know your current mailing address so that future mailings will reach you.  And for this project visit the BTPOA website (http://www.btpoa.net) to find the permit (see right side of home page “What’s Happening?” click on “tree inspection” and open “permit”) and the letter that was sent.  If you still have the postcard, please mail it back to me so that you can be included in or excluded from the properties to be inspected by MARCH 25TH.  If it is not returned by March 25th,  I cannot guarantee your property will be included in the inspection.  FAILURE TO RETURN THE POSTCARD MEANS YOUR PROPERTY WILL NOT BE INSPECTED.

A team of three inspectors will be canvassing all permit authorized properties on April 1-3.  Because of the number of properties, it is impossible to provide an exact date and time for your inspection, but a member of your association will be accompanying each inspector and they will attempt to notify anyone who has requested advance notification as the inspector approaches their property.  Many owners have noted dogs and/or their desire to accompany the inspector while he walks the property; we will make the phone calls and knock on the doors in an attempt to make this happen. 

If you have any questions, I am more than willing to share what I know about tree health and answer as many questions as I can; please feel free to call me at 719-481-1388.

Thank you for your consideration, and please join us in our efforts to keep the BTPOA forest healthy and beautiful.

Larry Stevens

BTPOA Forest Chair