This program looks at a valuable source of local sustainable building materials here in Montana. Beetle kill boards is a Bozeman company that is harvesting beetle killed pine trees from the forests of Southwest Montana.

The mountain pine beetle has affected millions of acres of forest in Montana and throughout the west. Although the beetle kills the tree, the wood is not affected, and is actually enhanced with the “blue-stained” appearance that results from a fungus carried by the beetles. The wood has no holes or rot in it, and the fungus leaves only the blue stain.

Reclaiming, and recycling these dead trees provide a great local source of marketable sustainable building materials

Contrary to some misconceptions, removal of the dead trees and processing does not spread the beetle. These sustainable building materials are now available for use in new construction or remodeling, or can be handcrafted into high quality furniture, doors, & other products.

The reclamation of beetle killed pine creates added value to locally sourced sustainable building materials and contributes to an increase in ‘green jobs’ as well as advancing the concept of environmentally sound building and remodeling practices.