Santa Fe arborists say they're seeing a resurgence of tiny bark beetles that kill drought-stricken pinon trees.
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the beetles are the same type as those that decimated the region's pinon trees a decade ago.
However, the arborists say the good news is that the infestation comes at a time when the area is finally getting lots of rain.
Robert Coates of Coates Tree Service says continued rain and then heavy snow over the winter could reduce the impact.
Rick Atkinson of Southwest Trees and Landscape and other tree experts say irrigating or applying insecticide can deter the beetles from infesting drought-stressed piñons.
The bad news is that infected trees usually die once they get the blue-stain fungus carried by the beetles.
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