Trees on state game lands in South Londonderry Township, where 90 percent of the oak trees are dead or dying because of gypsy moth infestation, will be harvested in the near future.

In recent years, gypsy moths have attacked Lebanon County forests. In 2006 and 2007, the moths bit hard and destroyed foliage on oak trees. Even though the County Conservation District sprayed for the moths this spring, the damage was already done.

"This is a vital loss. This hurts," said State Commissioner Dave Henry.

According to the Game Commission, the solution is to cut the trees down. The commission will bid out the project, and a logger will buy the trees and harvest them.

"It's part of the methodology of ensuring that we get a future stand here," said Henry. "That, someday at some point in the future, provides options for wildlife and for management of conditions for wildlife."

The trees are not the only things coming out - so are carpets of non-native invasive species plants. With less overhead leaves, more sunlight hits the forest floor. That sunlight feeds the invasive plant which spread fast and thick, and it prevents oak seedlings from growing. Herbicide will kill these invasive plants and they will also be harvested.

For a while, the area will look bleak. But then the Game Commission will plant new oak seedlings that are crucial to wildlife.

"We need these. Wildlife needs oak," says Henry. "Acorns feed, I don't know how many mammals, birds - a multitude of species."

The forest will go from having dead trees to no trees at all, then will eventually be a vibrant forest once again.

"If we get seedlings established and grown, in five years, the seedlings will be up over our heads," said Henry.

Bids for the harvest will go out in September, when the invasive species will be removed. Tree harvesting will likely last a year. But next spring, even as old trees are being removed, new seedlings will be planted.