Hazard Tree Removal

Invasive mountain pine beetles have taken a tremendous toll on the forests of Rocky Mountain National Park, affecting about 65 percent of the wooded areas of the park. In order to limit the damage, the Park Service uses a two-pronged strategy of cutting down infested trees that are viewed as a hazards, and spraying certain "high-value" trees with pesticides to prevent new bark beetle infestations. The cut trees are stacked and burned, but about 5,000 high-value trees will be protected based on their importance for shade, visual screening, cultural significance, or outstanding visual quality.