North Carolina’s Got To Be NC (GTBNC) Festival is just days away and the annual event is sure to offer entertainment for all ages. Rides, exhibits, parades, action alley, career opportunities and of course, lots and lots of food. These are just a few of the many options that will be on display during the … Read more
Insects are a natural part of the forest ecosystem. They play a pivotal role in discarding weak and inferior trees, breaking down and recycling littler on the forest floor and act as a food source for birds and other animals. However, certain insects pose a serious threat to tree and forest health. When these invasive … Read more
Guest authors: Courtney Smith and Kelly Oten, NCSU Extension Gorgeous, vibrant maple trees are a common sight in North Carolina. These trees are some of the first to show fall color, painting our landscape. They are the second most common tree in our forests, and maples are also a favorite street or landscape tree. If … Read more
Summer is often full of plans, but no one has been busier this year than the emerald ash borer. Although small, this invasive beetle is killing countless ash trees across the state. Since May, it has been confirmed in 11 additional counties within North Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 48 as of mid-July. Newly-infested … Read more
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 … Read more
And we need your help to spot it here! In 2013, the emerald ash borer was found for the first time in N.C. Now, a mere 5 years later, it can be found in a third of our state. The introduction of this forest pest has been catastrophic. Countless ash trees have been killed by … Read more
Trees may not need an annual visit to the doctor, but they do need care every now and then. Many homeowners with yard trees are all too familiar with annual trimming, mulching, or watering during periods of drought. Landscape trees give us joy and beauty, not to mention improve our health and well-being and increase … Read more
From late summer through early November, the N.C. Forest Services’ Forest Health staff, the Plant Industry Division, and cooperators with the Duke Forest set and monitored 104 traps across the state with the intent of detecting the walnut twig beetle in new locations. This beetle is the carrier for a fungus (Geosmithia morbida) that causes … Read more
On Sept. 17, 30,000 visitors swarmed BugFest, an annual event at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh. While many are adventurous and take a bite out of dishes with six-legged ingredients, the N.C. Forest Service and Plant Industry Division encouraged festival-goers not to take risks when it comes to firewood. You see, firewood … Read more
Across the state, North Carolinians are packing their bags and going on their summer vacations. Roads are full of families driving to the beautiful N.C. beaches, charming Piedmont destinations and the awe-inspiring mountains. But vacationers aren’t the only ones on the move in the state this year. The invasive, tree-killing emerald ash borer has shown it … Read more
