Blister rust is a non-native disease that devastated western white pine trees in the Inland Northwest. Pruning the lower branches of young white pine can increase their survival by half. A workshop titled “Pruning to Restore White Pine”, to be held Friday, June 13, at the University of Idaho Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center (located at 10881 N Boyer Road, north of Sandpoint) will help foresters, family forest owners, and forestry contractors learn how to reduce white pine blister rust mortality through pruning.

The program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The morning will feature presentations on white pine blister rust biology; pruning and thinning for blister rust; economic and biological considerations to pruning white pine; and pruning techniques and equipment. An afternoon field trip will feature pruned and unpruned white pine; and hands-on exercises related to blister rust canker identification, blister rust hazard analysis, and pruning methods (using a variety of tools).

The program is eligible for four Society of American Foresters CFE credits, three Idaho pesticide recertification credits and six Idaho Pro-Logger credits. The program can accommodate up to 30 people. A $20.00 registration fee covers a field notebook of publications and refreshments. To register online go to: https://marketplace.uidaho.edu/ then scroll to, and click on “University of Idaho Extension: Panhandle Forestry”. Registration forms can also be downloaded at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/programs (click on “Strengthening Forest Stewardship Skills”).  For registration questions, contact the UI Extension Office in Bonner County at (208) 263-8511. The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S. Forest Service.