Emerald Ash Borer Found in Three New Counties

News for Immediate Release     

July 1, 2010

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Three New Counties; Ag Secretary Urges Public to Heed Existing Quarantine, Not Haul Firewood to Help Protect PA Hardwoods Industry
Suspected Case in Union County Awaiting Confirmation

Harrisburg – With the discovery of Emerald Ash Borer beetles in Centre, Fulton and Somerset counties, the invasive tree-killing pest has now been found in 15 Pennsylvania counties, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.

Emerald Ash Borer poses a serious threat to Pennsylvania's nation-leading hardwoods industry, which contributes nearly $25 billion to the economy, Redding said. 

In Centre County, the beetle was found in Potters Mills at the intersection of routes 144 and 322. The Fulton County infestation is in Valley-Hi Borough along Route 30, and the Somerset County location is in Quemahoning Township on Route 30. A suspect sample found in Gregg Township, Union County, is being tested for confirmation.

"The Agriculture department's summer survey crews are diligently working to assess the spread of the beetle across the state," said Redding. "With the holiday weekend at hand, we urge all campers and travelers to help prevent the further spread of these pests by not hauling firewood from place to place."

State and federal Emerald Ash Borer quarantines restrict moving ash nursery stock, green lumber, and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches, from the quarantine area. However, due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood firewood and wood chips—including ash, oak, maple and hickory—are considered quarantined.

The department has not yet expanded the existing quarantine, but will draw new quarantine lines based on the survey results through the end of July.

The invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle was first detected in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2007 in Butler County, and subsequently was found in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Indiana, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, Mifflin, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The wood-boring beetle is native to China and eastern Asia. The pest likely arrived in North America in wooden shipping crates. It was first detected in July 2002 in southeastern Michigan and neighboring Windsor, Ontario, Canada. In addition to Pennsylvania, the beetle is attacking ash trees in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Typically, the Emerald Ash Borer beetles will kill an ash tree within three years of the initial infestation. Adults are dark green, one-half inch in length and one-eighth inch wide, and fly only from early May until September. Larvae spend the rest of the year beneath the bark of ash trees. When they emerge as adults, they leave D-shaped holes in the bark about one-eighth inch wide.

People who suspect they have found Emerald Ash Borer beetles should call the department's toll-free pest hotline at  1-866-253-7189  1-866-253-7189 . For more information about the quarantine, contact Walt Blosser at  717-772-5205  717-772-5205 , and for more information about Emerald Ash Borer, contact Sven-Erik Spichiger at  717-772-5229  717-772-5229 .

The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department Emerald Ash Borer survey crews began hanging nearly 6,000 purple panel traps from ash trees in 21 counties on May 21. The traps are designed to attract flying adult beetles to help detect further spread. Crews will continue to monitor the traps all summer and remove them by the end of August.
 
The national survey is being conducted in cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the United States Forest Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry.

Information is also available at www.agriculture.state.pa.us by searching "Emerald Ash Borer."

Media contact: Jean Kummer,  717-787-5085  717-787-5085

June 10 Sawmill Tour

JUNE 10^TH – 6:30 PM, MARTIN LEHMAN'S SAWMILL OPERATION IN CARLISLE.

The sawmill operation tour will highlight what is required to processes raw timber into dimensional lumber for shipping and eventual sale. Come and see what happens to the logs that are harvested from your woodlot and gain a better understanding of what is required to make the quality lumber we use.

 

Directions: If you are planning to attend, meet at 6:30 PM at the rear of the Cumberland County Extension Office to carpool to the sawmill which is approximately 5 minutes away. Parking is limited at the sawmill. The extension office is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle, PA 17013. Directions and a map to the extension office are available on-line at: http://cumberland.extension.psu.edu/directions.html. Late comers: From the intersection of Allen Road and Rt. 11 near the extension office, go south on Rt. 11 for approximately 1 mile and turn left on Shagbark Lane.  The Lehman farm is right next to I-81 on the left (if you go under I-81 you went too far).  Pull in the farm lane, go past the house & barn back to the log piles and you are there!

April 22nd Deer Management Meeting

Deer Management and Our Forests

Deer management is an important issue in Pennsylvania.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the white-tailed deer is undoubtedly one of the most influential species of wildlife in Pennsylvania. Deer provide the greatest wildlife value to the citizens of this state as watchable wildlife, a huntable resource, and venison for countless families. Much of Pennsylvania's rural, cultural heritage is closely linked to this species. Management of white-tailed deer on the State Forest lands has a profound impact on many aspects of the stewardship of these lands.

The large number of deer in the state has significantly changed our forests over the last 50 years, particularly in our most heavily forested areas.  In some forests, the diversity of plant species that grew there for centuries has been replaced by a few species that deer do not prefer to eat.  Deer overbrowsing has been identified as the primary factor in the failure of many of these areas to regenerate many forest plant species, both woody and herbaceous. To ensure the health of deer and our forests, herds must be kept in balance with their habitat. 

According to the PA DCNR publication, "Healthy Forests- Healthy Deer" (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/publications/Health_Forests_Deer.pdf), the health of both deer and the forests is closely tied together. Deer feed primarily on "browse," the tender shoots and buds of young trees and plants. They also depend on a lush forest understory to hide from predators and protect their young. When deer are out of balance with their habitat, they can very quickly degrade the forest environment for themselves and other plants and animals. However, with the right balance, both the deer and the forest thrive.

According to PA DCNR, many factors influence the health of the forest, including invasive insect and plant species, acid precipitation, changing weather patterns, soil quality and competing vegetation. The complex interaction among these factors, in addition to the local deer populations, greatly influences the forest's capacity to renew itself and respond to more balanced deer populations. Both research and operational experience, however, continue to demonstrate that deer are a large part of the equation, and that balancing deer populations is key to establishing a healthy, biologically diverse forest.

On Thursday, April 22nd, Rick Watts with the Quality Deer Management Association will speak about deer management and what this means to our forests at Penn State Mont Alto.  The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at Penn State Mont Alto in the auditorium of the General Studies Building. The meeting is being sponsored by the Cumberland Woodland Owners' Association. The meeting is open to the public. You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend.

The Quality Deer Management Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting sustainable, high-quality, white-tailed deer populations, wildlife habitats and ethical hunting experiences through education, research, and management in partnership with hunters, landowners, natural resource professionals, and the public. Quality Deer Management is a management philosophy/practice that unites landowners, hunters, and managers in a common goal of producing biologically and socially balanced deer herds within existing environmental, social, and legal constraints.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. The mission of the association is to provide information, education and an exchange of ideas to its members and others about the methods and benefits of proper forest management. The association emphasizes the awareness and implementation of best forestry management practices to sustain the forest and meet each landowner's objectives including recreational, economic and forest conservation values. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the April 22nd meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

April 8th Native Plant Tour

The Loss of Native Plants in Pennsylvania

Native plants in Pennsylvania are being lost to habitat destruction, invasive plants, and introduced pests and diseases. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, there are over 2,100 native plant species known in Pennsylvania. Native plants are those which occurred within the state before settlement by Europeans. These include ferns, grasses, flowering perennials, annuals, woody trees, shrubs, and vines which covered "Penns's Woods" when the first settlers arrived.

An invasive plant is a species that has become a weed pest. One that grows aggressively, spreads, and displaces other plants. Although some native plants are aggressive on disturbed areas, most invasive plants are introduced from other continents, leaving behind pests, diseases, predators, and other natural controls.

According to the PA DCNR, habitat destruction, invasive plants, and introduced pests and diseases have resulted in the elimination of 5 percent of Pennsylvania native plant species and another 25 percent are in danger of becoming so. Action can be taken to protect and enhance the remaining diversity of beautiful and often useful native plant species.

On Thursday, April 8th, at 6:30 pm, the Cumberland Woodland Owners' Association is sponsoring a "Native Plants" tour at Spring Haven Nurseries which is located at 1362 Mountain Road in Newburg. Spring Haven Nurseries (http://springhavennatives.com/) specializes in native woodland plants and shade perennials grown either in propagation beds or in the gardens located there.  Nursery owners, Dave and Dianne Cornman, will lead the tour and explain how to protect native plant communities and how to practice responsible landscaping. The tour is open to the public. You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. The mission of the association is to provide information, education and an exchange of ideas to its members and others about the methods and benefits of proper forest management. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the April 8^th meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

March 11th Forest Regeneration Meeting

Forest Regeneration

On Thursday, March11th, at the Cumberland Woodland Owners' Association meeting, Dr. James Finley, Penn State Professor of Forest Resources, will give a presentation on forest regeneration and reforestation in Pennsylvania. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the Franklin County Extension Office which is located at 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. The event is open to the general public and there is no cost to attend.

In Pennsylvania, forest regeneration, or regrowth, requires sufficient numbers of desirable tree seedlings to be available to replace today's forest following harvest. Under many circumstances, regeneration is not easy. Competing plants, deer, and insufficient light on the forest floor can interfere with regeneration and, in the long run, may threaten forest sustainability. Recent U.S. Forest Service data from Pennsylvania's statewide forest inventory (2004) document regeneration problems.

In forest stands where light conditions are adequate for regeneration development, less than 50 percent have adequate seedlings and saplings to regenerate the forest. This finding includes all tree species capable of growing into the forest canopy. When only commercially desirable species are considered, less than one-third of these forest stands have adequate regeneration to replace the existing forest. Sustainable forestry is defined as managing our forest resources to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. The mission of the association is to provide information, education and an exchange of ideas to its members and others about the methods and benefits of proper forest management. For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net) or George Hurd at 717/263-9226 (email: grh5@psu.edu). Directions to the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office in Franklin County are available at:  http://franklin.extension.psu.edu/.

Feb. 25th Deer Management Meeting Postponed

CWOA Thursday, February 25, 2010, Deer Management meeting at Penn State Mont Alto postponed until later date

Due to weather forecast of snow and high winds, the February 25 Cumberland Woodland Owners meeting at Penn State Mont Alto on Deer Management has been postponed.  When the date has been determined for the meeting a notice will be sent around.  For additional information, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net) or me at 717/263-9226 or by email at grh5@psu.edu. 

 

Deer Management Meeting Rescheduled to Feb. 25th at Penn State Mont Alto

Deer Management and Our Forests meeting rescheduled to February 25^th at Penn State Mont Alto

The February 11^th "Deer Management and Our Forests" meeting that was postponed due to weather has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 25^th, 7:00 pm at Penn State Mont Alto in the General Studies Building auditorium. There is limited parking available behind the General Studies Building.
For those that use the lower parking lot that will be on your right as you enter campus, there will be signs to the General Studies Building. Directions and maps for Penn State Mont Alto are available at the following webpages.

 

Directions to Penn State Mont Alto: http://www.ma.psu.edu/Information/directions.htm?cn716

Penn State Mont Alto Campus Map: http://www.ma.psu.edu/Information/map.htm?cn718

Penn State Mont Alto Parking: http://www.ma.psu.edu/Information/Safety/parking.htm?cn71C

Deer Management and Our Forests

On Thursday, February 25th, Rick Watts with the Quality Deer Management Association will speak about deer management and what this means to our forests.  The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at Penn State Mont Alto in the auditorium of the General Studies Building. The meeting is being sponsored by the Cumberland Woodland Owners' Association. The meeting is open to the public. You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend.

Deer management is an important issue in Pennsylvania.  The large number of deer in the state has significantly changed our forests over the last 50 years, particularly in our most heavily forested areas.  In some forests, the diversity of plant species that grew there for centuries has been replaced by a few species that deer do not prefer to eat.  To ensure the health of deer and our forests, herds must be kept in balance with their habitat. 

The Quality Deer Management Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting sustainable, high-quality, white-tailed deer populations, wildlife habitats and ethical hunting experiences through education, research, and management in partnership with hunters, landowners, natural resource professionals, and the public.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. The mission of the association is to provide information, education and an exchange of ideas to its members and others about the methods and benefits of proper forest management.  For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the February 11^th meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).  Invite other woodland owners to the meeting.