Emerald Ash Borer

A snapshot of the state of forestry in North Carolina.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Our N.C. Forest Service creates a report each year outlining the status of forestry resources in the state. Around 61 percent or 18.7 million acres of the state’s land area is forested. Of that 2.9 million is […]

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A Last Meal: Blackheaded ash sawfly munches while it still can

Countless native insects feed upon our forest trees each year. Typically, their feeding is so minor, it goes undetected and has no long-term effect on tree health. When pest populations do rise, these sporadic and often small outbreaks are unusual and fascinating to nature-lovers. Last week near Kinston, Jim Slye, N.C. Forest Service Forest Health […]

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The health of our forests: 2018 year-in-review

The health of our forests: 2018 year-in-review

Each year, the beautiful forests of our state encounter risks from various threats.  The significance of native pests vary by year, but the threat from invasive pests is only increasing with time. Some, such as the hemlock woolly adelgid and the emerald ash borer, have the potential to wipe out an entire group of trees in […]

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Saving North Carolina’s Urban Ash Trees

Saving North Carolina’s Urban Ash Trees

In 2013, the emerald ash borer made its debut in North Carolina. The devastation of forests north and northwest caused by this invasive beetle was already well-known, so its discovery was met with dread. The ash forests were dying, and quickly. The future did not look good for North Carolina’s ash trees. Over the next […]

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The health of our forests: 2017 year-in-review

The health of our forests: 2017 year-in-review

Every year, the beautiful forests of our state are at risk from ominous threats.  Native insects come and go in significance, but the threat from invasive insects is only increasing with time. Some, such as the hemlock woolly adelgid and the emerald ash borer, have the potential to wipe out an entire group of trees in […]

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News Roundup: Dec. 9 – 15

News Roundup: Dec. 9 – 15

Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “INCREASED FOCUS ON SENECAVIRUS A IN SWINE,” Southern Farm Network: (Audio)Animal health officials are conducting more tests related to a relatively low-impact swine disease which symptoms mimic a major disease […]

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The emerald ash borer travels the state

The emerald ash borer travels the state

This summer was expected to break travel records, and it wasn’t just people doing all the sightseeing. At least one insect joined in on the vacation fun this year: the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer popped up in new areas across the state this year, found for the first time in eight additional […]

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