Articles written by Brad French


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  • Douglas-fir bark beetle activity on the rise in Seeley

    Brad French, Montana DNRC Clearwater Unit|Mar 24, 2022

    Being an owner of forested property can bring many upkeep duties. Thinning, burning, roadwork and monitoring for tree health can keep a property owner busy. Many large, old Douglas-fir trees in the Double Arrow Ranch and valley foothills are showing signs of beetle attacks in the last couple years, including some trees over 400 years in age. Last year’s beetle-infested trees can affect your healthy trees if not dealt with in a timely fashion. Most forest insect pests occur naturally throughout Montana, but with some careful planning and the r...

  • Forest Products Week celebrated with local students

    Brad French, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation|Nov 11, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - Students from the Seeley Lake Elementary eighth grade class accompanied Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Service Forester Brad French Oct. 12 on their first field trip in over a year. The intent of the field trip was to expose the students to forestry and the economic value of Seeley Lake's timber industry. The day consisted of three forestry-based stops. The first stop gave the students an opportunity to view an active logging site on the Montana Fish,...

  • Spring forestry tidbits from DNRC

    Brad French, Service Forester, DNRC Clearwater Unit|Mar 11, 2021

    Being an owner of forested property can bring many upkeep duties. Thinning, burning, road work and monitoring for health can keep a property owner pretty busy. Windstorms this winter have damaged many trees and can make a mess. Unfortunately, these trees become a "buffet" for beetle activity and the insects can spread to healthy trees if not dealt with in a timely fashion. Most forest insects occur naturally throughout Montana, but with some careful planning and cleanup, you can prevent the spre...

  • Melting snow means forest insect pest management

    Brad French, Service Forester DNRC Clearwater Unit|Apr 4, 2019

    Springtime is here. For a lot of forest landowners it means getting back into the woods on their property for cleanup and upkeep. It also means that forest insects start to show themselves again. Forest insects are found throughout Montana, with some being more of a problem than others depending on conditions. Below are a few facts that may help forest landowners address concerns. Douglas-fir beetles typically infest damaged, sickly or recently broken Douglas-fir trees. With last year's...