Re-planting in spruce forest decimated by spruce beetle: best species to plant?

[1ricky1955]

I am in South-Central Alaska and the spruce bark beetle is working it's way up my valley. I am going to harvest mature trees for lumber before they all die. I would like to re-plant but am un-sure of best type of evergreen to plant. This is my first inquiry and will be seeking local advice as well.

[BradMarks]

By all means, "go local".  That said, what else is growing (native) well and is there a market for it? Therein probably lies your answer.  For example, in this area Industry planted a lot of Valley Ponderosa Pine in wetter areas unsuitable for other species (high water table winter - bone dry in summer).  Well guess what? - no mills for the P.Pine on the west side, trucking costs too high for a low value wood to go east or south. Something is growing now on those sites which is better than nothing, but there is no $ return on the expense. Obviously not thought out well on the financial (bean counters), but good for the ground (foresters).