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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2005 Crater Lake tree species faces a new, deadly threat The Associated Press A tree considered the signature species at Crater Lake National Park is dying from a rare plant disease. Whitebark pines are suffering from blister rust, which has killed more than 90 percent of the whitebarks in the northern Rocky Mountains and is threatening similar devastation at high elevations along the Pacific Coast and inland throughout the Northwest. In areas where blister rust has killed nearly all of the whitebarks, such as Glacier National Park, biologists have been collecting seeds from the few surviving trees for future replanting efforts. But it will be costly, time-consuming and labor intensive because whitebarks are usually found in remote areas, said Diana Tomback, a biology professor at the University of Colorado at Denver and head of the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation, a group working to ensure survival of the species. Infection rates are very high, she said, requiring strong cooperation among agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, she said. Advertisement "We have to all roll up our sleeves and forge ahead," Tomback said. About 20 scientists plan to meet this week at Crater Lake to share information on whitebark pine projects from California to British Columbia and plan for a Pacific Coast Whitebark Pine Symposium in 2006. Symptoms of blister rust include pustules, or cankers, on the tree bark. "This really is a serious issue," said Ron Mastrogiuseppe of the Crater Lake Institute. The whitebark pine, with its wind-twisted limbs and favoring high elevations, is a familiar sight at viewing points above the lake along the rim of the ancient volcanic caldera. Whitebarks are regarded as a key species because many animals depend on the trees. Their nutlike seeds are an important food source for many birds and mammals, including Clark’s nutcrackers, squirrels and bears. Scientists believe human fire suppression has hampered the tree’s ability to regenerate from the rust disease, because other conifers can dominate the whitebark’s domain. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement