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| Mountain Pine Beetle |
The mountain pine beetle generally affects Lodgepole, Ponderosa, Scotch and Limber Pines in Western North America. The beetle transfers a blue fungi to the pines giving the wood a unique bluish coloration. This fungi is thought to inhibit the flow of water and nutrients within the pine, ultimately resulting in the tree's demise.
Reclaiming Beetle Kill Pine, also called Blue Pine, reduces fire risk and provides a source of sustainable building material. Thus, making it a great "green" choice for cladding modern homes.
Before attaching Beetle Kill Pine to the home, it is recommended that
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Effects of Mountain Pine Beetle on a Colorado forest |
both the sides and edges of each board be treated. In the home shown to the right a semi-transparent, oil based, exterior stain was used. It was applied with a brush, and then wiped with a cotton cloth. Wiping eliminates tracks left by the brush. Rolling oil based stain is not recommended.
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Beetle Kill Pine showing semi-transparent oil based stain
(color: Sea Gull Grey by Benjamin Moore) |
On this Denver modern home located in Washington Park both 1"x4" and 1"x8" tongue and grove (T&G) Beetle Kill was used. The lighter colored stain is Sea Gull Gray, and the darker stain is Spanish Moss. Both of which are by Benjamin Moore.
Building green and sustainable does not always have to be expensive. Beetle kill is substantially less expensive then cedar.
Tongue and Grove Beetle Kill Pine:
1"x8" T&G = $.60/lf
1"x4" T&G = $.33/lf
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Beetle Kill Pine shown on Denver modern home in Washington Park
(color: Sea Gull Gray by Benjamin Moore)
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Beetle Kill Pine shown on far wall of Washington Park home located
in Denver, Colorado
(color: Spanish Moss by Benjamin Moore) |
