Cherry trees need spraying

It's the law of the land now: Pest control is mandatory for all cherry trees located within two miles of the shores of Flathead Lake.

"This is a Lake County pest-control program in cooperative agreement with Flathead County," said Jan Tusick, Mission Mountain Cooperative Development Center Specialist for Lake County. "The program was established this year specifically for the western cherry fruit fly."

Farmers can choose to spray with a chemical pesticide or they can use an organic method of control. No one is exempt, regardless of how few trees they might have.

The Flathead cherry industry has survived and thrived for nearly half a century. The threat of an infestation by the western cherry fruit fly has the industry concerned.

"Without pest control, wormy cherries could get into the market," said Vern Childers, liaison for the pest control management program.

All fruit shipped commercially is now tested for fruit-fly larvae before sale. If even one larva is found in a grower's crop, the entire crop will be rejected.

Spraying for pest control is done several times a year - pre-season, throughout the harvest and into the post-season. Much of the compliance is carried out on the honor system.

"I'm the only person in the field employed by Lake and Flathead Counties to do the work," Childers said. "There must be 150 orchards, but everyone's been very cooperative [about compliance].

"I've been checking random orchards lately - very small orchards rather than the established, larger ones. Generally, though, I'm out there to educate the people."

A voucher program has been set up to assist cherry growers who have fewer than 10 trees, Tusick said. "If someone wants to remove their trees, they can get a voucher for tree replacement."

For information and resources, contact Childers at 837-4350 or 253-5302.