In 2012, thousand cankers disease was confirmed in North Carolina for the first time. The invasive disease, responsible for killing walnut trees in walnut groves in the western U.S. and as a new introduction to eastern Tennessee at the time, was a frightening prospect for the state. However, since that time, the disease or its […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
In late 2012, a tree-killing disease called thousand cankers disease was found for the first time in North Carolina in Haywood County. The county was quarantined for the pest by early January 2013, restricting the movement of walnut wood and hardwood firewood. Now, nearly three years later, not much has changed. Despite annual surveys and trapping […]
The beauty and productivity of North Carolina’s forests have historically been challenged by a variety of threats. Healthy forests are generally accustomed to pests and conditions that are native to the area where they grow. Outbreaks of common pests may occur periodically and cause a great deal of damage; but, for the most part, forests are […]
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. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Column: Forest health concerns,” Hendersonville Times-News: Certainly one of the treasures of Western North Carolina is the abundant forests […]
Last month, the department announced the arrival of thousand cankers disease, a disease new to the state that threatens our native walnut and butternut trees. Early predictions indicate thousand cankers disease will likely be devastating to our walnuts. For the butternut tree, also known as white walnut, this is the second major blow in the […]
On January 3, the department announced a quarantine that limits the movement of walnut trees and wood products in Haywood County due to the the presence of thousand cankers disease within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thousand cankers disease is a fungal disease spread by the walnut twig beetle, which bores into the tree, […]
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. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Raleigh man will lead Future Farmers of America,” News & Observer: A native North Carolinian will soon be responsible […]