If you went to the BWCA or Quetico this summer and wondered why large swaths of balsam trees died.

Or if you live in northern MN, Norther WI, Northern, MI or Northern ONT and you have seen the dying off of balsams.

Or if you wonder why forest fires are being fueled by a billion dying trees and why our conifer forests are at risk for large fires until the die-off is done…

Then you might want to come to the Spruce Budworm symposium in Grand Marias this weekend.

I am not an organizer, only a participant. It’s put on by the University of Minnesota
Registration

Aside from the obvious forest fire issues, on my last couple trips I've had difficulty finding a site that didn't have large numbers of dead or dying firs in dangerously close proximity to the tent pads and hammock spots. I won't camp under a dead or dying tree, so had to pass on some otherwise good sites because of it.

Forgive my ignorance but will the die off’s end?

I actually deleted pics from my land that looks much worse.
I can't attend due to work. I hope to have a chainsaw party next spring.

CanoeViking: "Forgive my ignorance but will the die off’s end?"

Once the catapillars run out of food. The moths don't seem to lay eggs on tree less than 4 feet tall.

inspector13: "

CanoeViking: "Forgive my ignorance but will the die off’s end?"

Once the catapillars run out of food. The moths don't seem to lay eggs on tree less than 4 feet tall.

"

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it has a happier ending than Ash trees.

Thanks for posting, I was wondering why so many trees were dead at the Anges campsite I visited. Had to go back into the woods to find a "safe" place to hang a hammock.