We have noticed that a couple of Bosnian Pine Trees on the southside of the park were turning brown and dying and became concerned about a pine bark beetle infestation.  Sean O’Neill, City Arborist, said City Parks and Rec Dept is aware of the problem and are monitoring those 2 pine trees in particular and other trees along the CNM border.  O’Neill said other trees in the Park have been in decline due to ‘girdling’ of the trees’ own roots wrapping around the trunk and starving the tree of water and nutrients — the trees then become compromised and easy ‘victims/hosts’ for insects.  The NM Dept of Agriculture has a ‘purple’ monitoring station hung in a pine tree (on S Side of park) to monitor insects and the City is also doing regular assessments of all parks. The City has each tree identified on a GPS map.    A big factor for increased insect infestation is the warming climate allowing beetles and other insects to ‘winter over’.  The Honey Locust trees, Pines and Ash trees are becoming compromised all over the City due to lack of rain and heat.  Also many of our El Oso Grande Park trees are at the 20-30 yr end of their life span and more vulnerable so the replanting along Osuna was done.   So City staff is aware of the El Oso Grande tree issues and is trying to prevent infestations of pine bark beetles and honey locust beetles but the ‘girdling’ and dying of trees is making matters worse.