Uphill battle against EAB in Missouri
Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2008State officials in Missouri are facing an infestation of emerald ash borer they doubt they can eradicate, but are hopeful they can slow down. The beetle was first found in Michigan in 2002, and has reached at least seven other states, killing tens of millions of trees along the way. Missouri is the farthest south and west of the known infestation.
New USFS report on wildland fire and invasive plants
Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2008A new report from the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station offers a review of information on relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants that can assist fire managers and other land managers concerned with prevention, detection, and eradication or control of these invasive species. The-16 chapter study summarizes fundamental concepts regarding fire effects on nonnative invasives, their effects on fuels and fire regimes, and use of fire to control plant invasions.
Asian longhorned beetle appearance in Illinois & Mass.
Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008Foresters were chagrined to discover Asian longhorned beetles making a resurgence in Illinois and Massachusetts this month.
Florida's state tree dying from mysterious disease
Posted on Friday, July 25, 2008From the Associated Press: The sabal palm, Florida's state tree, is under attack by a microscopic killer that has scientists stumped. An unknown but growing number of sabal palms in the Tampa Bay area have died from a mysterious disease that researchers are struggling to identify.
Insects and fungi claiming oaks in MA
Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 Investigators estimate tens of thousands of oak trees in Southeastern Massachusetts have died during the past three years, a result of leaf-eating caterpillars and opportunistic beetles and fungi. Residents, towns, and utility companies are now left with the costly task of tree removal.
Continental Dialogue launches website to prevent spread of invasives
Posted on Monday, July 7, 2008The transportation of invasive insects & diseases through firewood is a central threat to trees in urban, suburban & forest areas. In response, the Continental Dialogue on Non-native Forest Insects and Diseases recently launched a new website, www.dontmovefirewood.org. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, the site aims to communicate and market key ideas to consumers about protecting forests.
Emerald ash borer in Chicago
Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The invasive pest makes its debut in Chicago, dashing city officials' hopes that its rapid spread through surrounding states in recent years would spare Chicago's more than 96,000 ash trees, which make up almost one-fifth of the city's street tree population.
New York steps up response to tree-killing pests
Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2008New York has taken new efforts to stop the influx and spread of tree-killing pests such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle and Sirex Wood Wasp by restricting the importation, transportation and sale of untreated firewood. The action closely follows measures imposed by Pennsylvania and other states to stem the proliferation of invasive species that can wipe out trees in forests and neighborhoods.
Hostile flora pushing out native plants in OH
Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2008Ohio State University ecologists fear that the voracious borers will trigger dramatic changes in Ohio's forests....David Lytle, state forester with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said that if invasive plants get a stranglehold, they can create simple ecosystems that could be devastated by a single disease or event.
Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative survey work underway
Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008Through the Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative, state forestry agencies in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota are working together to prepare for the arrival of invasive species in the Great Plains. The agencies are assessing the region's tree resources, determining and addressing the potential impacts of invasives to those resources, creating public awareness of invasive species and promoting species diversity.
