Goldspotted Oak Borer Management, Removals, and Treatments in San Bernardino Mountain Communities

Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is an invasive pest to Southern California that has been decimating oak populations in many communities. GSOB infestations have been confirmed in the Cities of Big Bear, Calimesa and Yucaipa and the communities of Crestline, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Wrightwood. The project is anticipated to cover 21,971 acres, remove approximately 244 high infested trees, and treat an additional 62 trees with low infestations or high value trees. The purpose of this project is to remove infested oak trees in the Cities of Big Bear, Calimesa and Yucaipa and the communities of Crestline, Silverwood, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Wrightwood to prevent larvae living within the infested oak trees from flying during spring/summer and potentially infesting additional oak trees. Additionally, the removal of dead or highly infested trees will reduce the wildfire risk by reducing fuels. Highly infested trees will be fully removed and the infested wood will be either chipped and moved off site using best management practices or tarped on site if access is a challenge. Trees classified as "high-value" or with low infestations will be treated using insecticide. All trees removed during nesting season will be surveyed by a biologist prior to removal to ensure that no nests are observed. If any nest is found, removal of that tree will occur only once the biologist has confirmed that the birds have fledged the nest.