Recent wind events have wreaked havoc on timber stands across much of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Saturated soils combined with prolonged high winds caused numerous trees to uproot or snap off. As a result, many private landowners are now surveying the damage and asking an important question: What should I do with my down and broken trees?
It’s an important question and one worth addressing sooner rather than later.
Downed and damaged trees can create several challenges for the remaining stand. While blowdown is often unsightly and can complicate access, the more significant concerns involve what this material can attract and how it affects overall forest health.
Insect Infestations
Following major disturbance events, insects are quick to take advantage of newly available host material. Downed trees, broken tops, forked stems, and severely stressed standing trees are prime targets because they emit stress signals that attract bark beetles and other wood‑boring insects.
Once insects colonize this material, they can overwinter and reproduce. As temperatures warm, emerging insects may expand their attacks to nearby healthy trees, particularly when large amounts of downed material are left untreated. In some cases, what begins as storm damage can escalate into a broader insect outbreak within a stand.
Not all downed trees serve as beetle habitat. Host suitability depends on tree species and stem size. The three beetle species most likely to breed in downed trees include:
• Pine Engraver Beetle (Ips pini): Typically affects pole‑sized trees and larger tops. The “Ips” beetle, as it is often referred to, and their larvae feed on lodgepole and ponderosa pine. Adults begin flying in late spring and often attack pines that fell during the previous fall or winter. They overwinter in this material, and the next generation emerges in late summer, sometimes attacking nearby standing green pines.
• Douglas‑fir Beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae): This beetle primarily targets large‑diameter, mature Douglas‑fir. Adults fly in late spring and attack freshly downed green Douglas‑fir, where they feed and reproduce. New adults typically emerge the following spring and summer, and can attack the remaining live Douglas-fir trees in the stand.
• Fir Engraver Beetle (Scolytus ventralis): Commonly associated with grand fir, fir engravers may breed in downed trees or broken tops. Adults emerge and attack green trees from June through September, particularly during drought years.
In general, downed trees or tops larger than 3–4 inches in diameter should be treated to reduce beetle risk. Recommended options include cutting material into smaller pieces, debarking, burning (where permitted), or removing it from the site entirely.
Many of these beetles can also reproduce in green firewood. If you plan to salvage downed trees for firewood, cut them into smaller pieces to promote rapid curing (drying). Avoid stacking green firewood against live, standing trees, as beetles can move from firewood piles into nearby healthy trees.
Disease Concerns
Broken and damaged trees also create entry points for disease. Open wounds, exposed sapwood or roots, and stressed root systems provide favorable conditions for fungal pathogens. While not all diseases spread aggressively, large amounts of damaged material can increase disease pressure in already stressed forests.
Fire Hazard
Down and broken trees significantly increase fuel loading on the forest floor. As this material dries, it can elevate wildfire risk by increasing flame length, fire intensity, and resistance to control. Large accumulations of woody debris can also function as ladder fuels, allowing fire to move from the ground into the forest canopy.
How Do I Know When a Snapped‑Off Tree Needs to Come Down?
Many landowners are evaluating trees with broken tops or snapped stems and wondering whether those trees can remain standing or should be removed. There is no single rule that fits every situation, but several practical indicators can help guide decisions.
If the break happened low on the trunk, or if most of the tree’s canopy is gone, the tree is unlikely to recover. Trees need a good portion of their live crown to produce energy, and when too much foliage is lost, the tree will slowly decline. Trees that are snapped through the middle or lower part of the stem also tend to decay from the inside out. Over time, that decay can lead to instability or windthrow.
You’ll also want to look closely at the break itself. If the wood is badly splintered, twisted, or deeply cracked, the structural integrity of the tree is compromised. Even if the tree is still standing, it may not be safe to leave in place, near homes, driveways, trails, or other areas people use regularly.
Although visually unappealing, trees that broke off well above the midpoint that still hold a good amount of foliage and have a clean break, will sometimes survive. They may not regain their original form or value as timber, but they can continue to grow and provide shade, cover, and soil stability.
When in doubt, consider getting a second opinion. A consulting forester, certified arborist, or your local University of Idaho Extension or Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) office can help evaluate damage and discuss management options. Every tree and site is different, and a professional assessment can help you make informed decisions.
So, What Should Landowners Do?
  The appropriate response depends on the extent of damage, tree species, site conditions, and long‑term management goals. However, several general guidelines apply:
• Prioritize high‑risk material: Focus first on freshly downed conifers, broken tops, and partially uprooted trees, especially near healthy standing timber.
• Act promptly: Salvage or treatment is most effective before insects have time to establish and reproduce.
• Consider salvage opportunities: Depending on access and volume, downed trees may be usable as sawlogs, firewood, posts, or biomass.
• Reduce fuel loads: Slash treatment, piling and burning (where permitted), or chipping can help lower wildfire risk.
• Retain some material strategically: Not all downed wood is harmful. Scattered, smaller material can provide wildlife habitat and soil benefits, but balance is key.
For sites with extensive damage, landowners may benefit from working with a local logging or fuels‑treatment contractor. A qualified contractor and consulting forester can help manage cleanup efficiently while minimizing additional site damage.
University of Idaho Extension is also available to help connect landowners with science‑based resources, management guidance, and professional contacts. Extension educators can assist with evaluating storm damage, identifying potential insect or disease concerns, and discussing practical next steps aligned with your management goals.
Reaching out early can help prevent short‑term damage from becoming long‑term forest health problems.
**Audra Cochran and Randy Brooks work for University of Idaho Extension. They can be reached at
audrac@uidaho.edu or rbrooks@uidaho.edu.