Tree Pests

As the Mountain Pine Beetle and Western Spruce Budworm churn their way through our local forests, the BSOA office has been fielding a variety of calls from concerned landowners and visitors, asking why the trees are turning red or dying and what can be done to minimize the damaging impact of these pests.

A decade of drought hasn't helped the situation. But as a Big Sky property owner, there are actions you can take to make your backyard forest more healthy and less susceptible to Western Spruce Budworm and Mountain Pine Beetle attack.

First, recognize that we are dealing with two very different pests which attack different species of trees. Click below for more information on

• Mountain Pine Beetle
• Western Spruce Budworm
• Long term Protection Strategies
• Local Contractor Contacts

The Big Sky Natural Resources Council is an excellent resource for more information on local forest sustainability and health.  Click here for additional information made available by the US Forest Service and Big Sky Institute.