Several hundred coast live oak trees are infested with Gold Spotted Oak Borer (GSOB) in the canyon, and field surveys are now being done by the City of San Diego rangers and Friends of Penasquitos to assess the damage. Are you interested in surveying for a half- or full-day? If so, please contact Mike Kelly at kelly.mike8388@gmail.com
The following surveys are needed by June 1 in Penasquitos Canyon, each about three hours.
- Carson Crossing to the Waterfall, northside
- Waterfall to Sycamore Crossing, northside
- Sycamore to West End, northside
- Ridgewood Community Park to I-15 and Cara Knot Way and Memorial Garden (half done), southside
- Pump Station east to the dam
- Dam east to Trailhead near Waterpoint
- Trailhead east to Springbrook southside
- Springbrook east to Springhurst southside
- PQ Creek Crossing east to ranch house (if County not taking responsibility)
Lopez Canyon
- Trailhead at west end to Old Lopez Rd\
- Old Lopez Road to Lopez Ridge Park
- Lopez Ridge Park to Montongo St.
Initial “drive-by” surveys have already been done. Field survey information is recorded on an app that uses ESRI mapping software and has a drop-down menu with choices. For example, what percentage of the canopy is still present? How many exit holes of the GSOB are present? Is there staining typical of GSOB? Is the tree dead or alive?
These field surveys will be used to identify infested and adjacent uninfested trees for spray application of Carbaryl on trunks and large limbs. Over the past several years, sprays have slowed the symptoms in the Lake Hodges area, three campgrounds of the Cleveland National Forest, and eight county parks. Information from quarterly GSOB Situation Reports, contact afege@aol.com if you’d like report copies or links,
Since many of us have witnessed and worried about GSOB spread for the past decade in sensitive and favorite places, participation in this survey may be a way to transform concern into action.