Some 62 million trees have died so far this year in California, said USDA, blaming the losses on drought, warmer than usual weather and insect damage. The losses, up by 36 million from a survey earlier this year, are double the losses reported in 2015.
“Millions of additional trees are weakened and expected to die in the coming months and years,” said USDA. Since 2010, 102 million trees have died on 7.7 million acres in the state. The majority of tree losses this year are in 10 counties in the southern and central Sierra Nevada region. The U.S. Forest Service, a USDA agency, said tree mortality was increasing in the northern part of the state as well, including Siskiyou, Modoc, Plumas and Lassen counties. “Five consecutive years of severe drought in California, a dramatic rise in bark beetle infestation and warmer temperatures are leading to these historic levels of tree die-off,” said USDA.