Can’t see the forest for the trees? Dense mixed conifer forests are not only more susceptible to diseases, parasites and insects, but also provide too much canopy, making it difficult for aspen and other shade intolerant forbs and grasses to grow. In some areas, lack of understory within mixed conifers may increase erosion. Meadows, used by a variety of birds and mammals disappear as mixed conifers continue to expand. That isn’t to say that conifers don’t have a place in a healthy ecosystem – it’s just that sometimes an event like fire, beetle kill or disease may be needed to keep populations in check. The bottom line then becomes, which event do we pick – or do we?