Bent Tree has continuing concerns regarding the protection of our forest and properties. 

Tree Inspection April 2009.  Colorado Forestry Service will conduct a survey of our forest to identify whether we have any pine beetle infestation or other blight that might endanger the beauty of our forest April 1-3, 2009.  This survey is already purchased for all properties, but the survey is voluntary and each property owner must give permission to have their lot surveyed.  Letter of Explanation.  Permit to Enter Form.  Inspection Report (the small yellow dots on the aerial photo are beetle trees).

Mountain Pine Beetle.  We are encountering an eruption of mountain pine beetle infestation.  It is necessary that everyone be aware of the situation and their responsibilities to mitigate the problem.  The beetles fly during late spring and summer and may be attacking your healthy trees and those of your neighbors.  If you have beetle infested trees it is imperative that you take immediate remedial action.   How to survey property, identify infested trees and dispose of them (March 1, 2007, mailing to BTPOA membership). 

Fire Mitigation.  In 1997 Bent Tree established a Forest Stewardship Management Plan.  A major emphasis was and continues to be creating defensible space around our properties. It is important that we are all aware of wildfire potential and what mitigation actions we must take.  In addition, tall dry weeds in Bent Tree are out of control on several lots and create a special fire hazard.  Ignited dry grasses and weeds are the start of many wildfires.  They are the start of the ladder fuel fire process which begins with grass above 2 inches in height, progresses to shrubs, then up dead limbs on trees to their canopies.  Most of the weeds, wild grasses and noxious weeds in Bent Tree are the result of disturbing the forest during the process of building homes and roads.  These weeds and grasses are not part of the original natural forest and should be cut as frequently as possible if not watered during periods of high fire danger (within irrigation limits in Bent Tree).  In addition, uncut weeds and grasses are unsightly and negatively effect property values.
 - Bent Tree Forest Stewardship Management Plan - "Good information + sensible choices = a safer and healthier forest" (60 pages)
 - Bent Tree Forest Fire Safety Guidelines - Excerpt from The Plan (2 pages)

Useful Links.  (outside BTPOA web site)
 - Colorado State Forest Service
 - Colorado State Forest Service Trees for Conservation Program; 2009 Order form (While these healthy, seedling trees are not authorized for landscaping, they are for forestry management and species diversification.)
 - USDA Forest Service, Fire Education
 - CSU Extension Service: Creating Wildfire Defensible Zones (pdf format)
 - CSU Extension Service: Dwarf Mistletoe Management