May 8 CWOA meeting in Chambersburg

Impact of Gypsy Moth and Emerald Ash Borer On Our Trees Two forest pests are having a tremendous impact on trees locally. Gypsy moths are responsible for significant damage to many hardwood trees in the region. Emerald ash borer is now present locally and is harming ash trees. To learn more about these pests, plan to attend the Thursday, May 8, 2014, meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association. Nathan Fite, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester for Franklin and Cumberland County, will present information on what Gypsy Moth and Emerald Ash Borer are doing to our local trees and what land owners can do to minimize their impact. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Center which is located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg. 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 workshop is handicap accessible. If you need specific accommodations, please contact Penn State Extension in advance at 717-263-9226. Gypsy moth is considered the most important insect pest of forest and shade trees in the eastern United States. According to PA DCNR, defoliation by the gypsy moth has killed millions of oak trees across Pennsylvania. Although white, chestnut, black and red oak are preferred, gypsy moth caterpillars also eat hundreds of other tree and shrub species including apple, alder, aspen, basswood, birch, poplar, willow, hawthorn, hemlock, tamarack (larch), pine, spruce, and witch hazel. Although Gypsy moth usually avoids ash, there is now another insect pest killing ash trees in our area. Emerald ash borer feeds exclusively on ash trees in North America and is now present locally. Host species include green ash, white ash, black ash, blue ash, and pumpkin ash. Tens of millions of ash trees have been lost to this pest, which usually kills ash trees within 3-4 years of infestation. The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association 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 meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).