Outbreaks of wood-boring insects are currently killing snow-gum forests throughout the Australian Alps. Following an initial attack affected trees enter a state of decline that ends with the death of all above-ground parts. Although snow gum resprout from the base after an attack, repeated wood-borer attacks kill the trees completely. The extent and severity of the attacks in some locations suggests that entire forests may perish in the coming decade. Data on the extent and severity of the wood-borer outbreak is limited to a handful of locations and we desperately need observations on the condition of trees throughout the Alps. By submitting an observation you add directly to our understanding of this phenomenon.
This survey is part of a larger project aimed at understanding snow-gum dieback and is supported by the Australian Alps National Parks program.