Library CardDavies, Mary Ann; Murray, Michael . 2006. Tree Tong Puts Whitebark Pine Cones Within Reach. 0624 2354. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 8 p.
Nurseries are breeding whitebark pine trees that show resistance to white pine blister rust. Seeds have to be collected from trees that show resistance before the nurseries can begin their tests. If the cones are not protected, birds such as the Clark's nutcracker and red squirrels will eat the seeds. Wire cages can protect the cones, but it's difficult to install the cages on the ends of branches at the top of the tree where the cones grow. A tong used to clean gutters was adapted to install the wire cages over cones on trees up to 30 feet tall. A hook was developed to close the cages. The tong offered distinct advantages over having certified tree climbers or using a bucket trucks, but didn't completely solve the problem of installing wire cages to protect the cones.
Keywords: Clark's Nutcracker, equipment development, grizzly bears, nurseries, red squirrels, reforestation View HTML E-mail this pub.
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