I went back and took more photos and observations of the felled tree by the trailhead. I observed that there are apparent exit holes on the top side (the cut edge) of the stump. I searched the felled part of the tree and did not observe any holes on the cut edge of that tree. The stump appears to continue to otherwise be in good condition and have living cambium.
It appears that the exit holes occurred AFTER the tree was felled.
I have not contacted the park yet, as I still want to know more about their own ALB surveying and why they cut down and left several trees on the trail.
(I suspect that the beetle contamination to the living stump could have been caused by poorly cleaned felling equipment, used from another contaminated site.)
It appears that the exit holes occurred AFTER the tree was felled.
I have not contacted the park yet, as I still want to know more about their own ALB surveying and why they cut down and left several trees on the trail.
(I suspect that the beetle contamination to the living stump could have been caused by poorly cleaned felling equipment, used from another contaminated site.)