Knowledgebase
Pinyon health on Cedar Mesa #753056
Asked May 31, 2021, 12:28 PM EDT
Delta County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello Joseph,
You are correct that the drought is leaving the trees vulnerable to insects. It appears you have twig beetle and engraver beetle (Ips spp.) If you can remove and chip the ones that are dead or infested, that will decrease the number of insects. Water the trees that are the most value to you. Pinyon have very wide spreading roots, 2-5 times their height in spread and 12-18" deep. So a sprinkler works best. You can also spray the trees with a pyrethroid spring, summer and late summer to ward off the insects. Having acreage will make you make hard choices.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/ips-beetles-5-558/
https://extension.usu.edu/pests/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/arthopods/bark-beetles/pinyon-ips
http://wci.colostate.edu/Assets/pdf/TwigBeetle.pdf
Susan C. Area Horticulture and Natural Resource Agent
Yes, sorry for the loss of trees.
Good luck.
Susan