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Bug Killing County Oak Trees

A wood-eating bug is having its way with oak trees in backcountry areas of San Diego County. Cleveland National Forest officials say the dead oaks increase the risk for wildfires. KPBS Environmental

Bug Killing County Oak Trees

(Photo: Gold-spotted oak borer. U.S. Department of Agriculture )

A wood-eating bug is having its way with oak trees in backcountry areas of San Diego County.  Cleveland National Forest officials say the dead oaks increase the risk for wildfires. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

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Oak trees have been declining the last seven years in eastern county areas, especially near Descanso and Pine Valley.  

Cleveland National Forest Service officials blame the decline on an insect - the gold-spotted oak borer.

Forest service officials are not issue firewood permits for oak as one way to keep the pests from spreading to healthy trees.

Forest Supervisor Will Metz says the goal is to save oak trees throughout the county.

He says people should not take infested firewood out of the forest or other areas since it could spread the infestation.  

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Damaged oaks have been found in and around Pine Valley, the Laguna Mountains, and in Cuyamaca State Park.  

Because there's no management plan for the pest, forest officials are advising people to use an insecticide that has worked on similar hardwood insects.

The Cleveland National Forest i s holding a series of informational meetings on the gold -spotted oak borer in Alpine, Julian, Ramona and other towns over the next two weeks.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.