Gypsy Moth-Damaged Trees to Be Logged

A 60-acre tract of woodland in Greenbrier State Forest will be logged to salvage timber damaged by gypsy moths, the state Division of Forestry announced on Thursday.

A gypsy moth infestation this spring and summer defoliated most of the trees in the tract, located on the east side of Kates Mountain in the southern portion of the forest.

Forestry officials said the trees have been earmarked for harvest because they have little or no chance of regaining their health.

“Our intention is to harvest these trees before the stress of defoliation and other secondary pests kill them,” said Barb Breshock, state lands manager. “By harvesting live trees we have a chance to regenerate this area by way of stump and root sprouts.”

All live trees six inches and greater in diameter in the 60-acre tract will be harvested. “Once the trees die, the quality drops from saw log to pulpwood, about an 85 percent drop in value,” Breshock said.

Holding a salvage sale for the live trees will enable the Division of Forestry to sell the timber at a higher value. Funds will be used to help pay for a gypsy moth spraying program in the forest to reduce odds of a more widespread defoliation.

Gypsy moths, originally from Asia, were accidentally released into the wild from Massachusetts in 1869. Oak-loving gypsy moth caterpillars attack trees by feeding on their leaves.

Gypsy moths spread south and west at a rate of about 5 to 10 miles per year, and have now munched their way nearly halfway across West Virginia.

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