"Roughly 36.3 million dead trees were counted across California in 2022, a dramatic increase from previous years that experts are blaming on drought, insects and disease, according to a report by the U.S. Forest Service.
The same survey for 2021 counted 9.5 million dead trees in the state, but the effects of last year’s dramatic die-off are more severe and spread across a wider range, according to the report released Tuesday.
The aerial report paints a bleak picture of a state ravaged by drought, disease and insects that feed and nest in thirsty trees. From mid-July to early October, researchers surveyed nearly 40 million acres, including federal, state and private land. They found dead trees spread across 2.6 million acres.
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Douglas fir trees showed the biggest mortality rate increase. There were 3 million dead Douglas firs, an increase of 1,650%, counted across 190,000 acres, primarily in the central Sierra Nevada Range."
Nathan Solis reports for the Los Angeles Times February 7, 2023.
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