Katie Kosanke, Urban Forester, Parks & Recreation, No Phone Number Available
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 12:57 p.m.
Updated 2025/12/16
Beetles are impacting some trees around Spokane, including trees in City parks and on rights of way. They have been identified in consultation with a Washington Department of Natural Resources Entomologist.
As a result, you may observe tree removals happening in City parks and rights of way.
Some beetles typically targets smaller trees and treetops, but they are causing more severe damage of larger trees than usual.
Some infected trees are green, while a number are quickly fading in color.
Unfortunately, infected trees don’t have a chance of survival, and need to be proactively removed to prevent further spread of this damaging pest. Trunks of these trees will be removed and properly disposed of.
Over winter 2025 - 2026, work is ongoing throughout the park system to help prevent the spread of issues affecting our parks. The most significant efforts are planned for Whitewater Disc Golf Course, Downriver Golf Course, Indian Canyon Golf Course, Hamblen Park, Manito Park, and a few other locations across the city.
Seedling re-planting is anticipated at many of the locations in 2026 in partnership with Spokane Ponderosa.
Additionally, the City plans to collaborate with the Washington Department of Natural Resources to host a public workshop in the spring. This workshop will be open to citizens, tree care professionals, landscape experts, land managers, and anyone else interested in attending. More info to come.
If you have questions, please call MySpokane at 311 or 509.755.2489.
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