Dead spruce trees in Cooper Landing ... “An estimated 2.17 million acres of Alaska’s spruce forests have been affected by the spruce beetle outbreak that began in 2016,” the release reads.
Sep 19, 2021 Sep 19, 2021 Updated Oct 24, 2022 An epidemic is creeping into Interior Alaska, but it is not attacking people. It is killing forests filled with mature white spruce trees.
An essential element of foraging spruce tips for Alaska Native cultures is to harvest respectfully, which means thanking the tree for giving up some of its tips and always harvesting in moderation.