Swiss needle cast data collection

With survey season wrapping up in the next few weeks, I wanted to send a reminder about Swiss needle cast data.

If you’ve been collecting it, you can email your results to myself and David Rusch (cc’d).

If you used SNAP, you can review instructions on how to compile the data across all cards at 3:28 of this video: https://youtu.be/jexGBn8kTQs?si=ZCN9x5qCgVTeLm1f

We will need to repeat this data collection again in 2024 since incidence can vary greatly year to year. I would suggest including the following clause in your survey contracts:

“For Coast region strata intended for coastal Douglas fir (Fdc) management and with Fdc trees ≥5 years old, the Contractor shall record leader growth and needle retention by year for Fdc inventory sample trees, according to the instructions located at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/silviculture/silviculture-surveys/snc_data_collection.pdf.”

It’s important to collect this data in Fdc stands across the Coast region, whether you see evidence of Swiss needle cast or not. We can’t have a skewed sample.

We really appreciate your help. This data is critical for better understanding Swiss needle cast hazard and impact. It will be important for the development of adaptative silviculture regimes and the review of stocking standards.

One last item: If you’ve done any stumping for root disease in recent years in the Coast region, could you reach out to David?

Thank you very much,

Taisa Brown, RPF

Silviculture Performance Assessment Specialist

Office of the Chief Forester | Forest Science, Planning, and Practices Branch

Phone (250) 480-9883

Ministry of Forests