A LOT OF NEW MEXICO TREES ARE DYING, AND NEW GROWTH ISN'T SUFFICIENT TO REPLACE THEM. THAT'S WHAT A NEW STUDY ON FOREST HEALTH HAS REVEALED. DAN WARE WITH THE STATE FORESTRY DIVISION SAYS WHEN FORESTS BECOME OVERCROWDED, WHICH IS THE CASE IN NEW MEXICO, IT KEEPS THE TREES STRESSED OUT AND STARVING FOR WATER. HE SAYS THAT MAKES THEM TARGETS FOR DISEASE AND INSECTS.
WARE SAYS WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A REPEAT OF A SCENARIO FROM 10 TO 12 YEARS AGO WHEN MILLIONS OF NEW MEXICO PINON TREES DIED DUE TO BARK BEETLE INFESTATIONS.
