Kansas residents are being urged to use the month of April as the time to remove dead pine trees in order to prevent the spread of disease.
The reminder comes from the Kansas Department of Agriculture because, as the agency's Plant Protection and Weed Control Program Manager Jeff Vogel explains it, removal can keep pine wilt from spreading(Play Audio :17 seconds)
Vogel says April is chosen as a prime time for pine removal, and disposal, due to the fast approaching active season for the pine sawyer beetle(Play Audio :30 seconds)
If a resident suspects they have pine wilt, there are tell tale signs to look for, but the best step is thorough testing, which  is a critical step in keeping the disease out of a community(Play Audio :30 seconds)
Residents with infected pines are reminded that the remnants of the downed trees also pose a danger, with leftover portions to never be used as mulch or firewood.