Spring Checkup
Optimism ... hope ... words that describe our forests in the springtime as EVERYTHING comes to life. You can almost watch the changes!
Knowing that everything should be growing, this is a good time to gauge the forest health. Some defoliation is part of the natural cycle but it can indicate problems, particularly when it involves non-native invasive species.
This post is about three non-native bugs that are killing trees in our forests, what to look for and what you can do if you find it.
Emerald Ash Borer
Nova Scotia might appear to have luck on her side when it comes to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) but that would be a mistake. EAB was first found in DeWolf Park in Bedford and has spread to the surrounding area. It is poised to takeoff :-(
First identified 20 years ago in Ontario, EAB has almost eliminated all species of ash from eastern Manitoba, Southern Ontario and Southern Quebec. Many municipalities have removed dead ash trees that once lined their streets and parks.
What to look for : sections or whole trees that have no leaves. These ash trees pictured should be fully leafed out but are leafless indicating EAB has killed them.
What to do if you find it : please get a picture if possible and report your finding to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or send it here and we will pass it along
image : (c) Ron Neville - CFIA
Beech are magnificent trees. While many of our beech trees were affected by a bug first seen over 100 years ago, they seemed to have reached some stability ... until a new, non-native invasive species arrived in 2012 called the Beech leafmining weevil
What to look for : the weevil feeds on the new beech leaves peppering them with small holes. You will also see browning of the leaf tips
What to do if you find it : please get a picture if possible and report your finding to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or send it here and we will pass it along
image : (c) NS Government / Jeff Ogden - Provincial Entomologist
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
At this time of year, the tips of hemlock branches light up as the new growth pushes out forming an acid green foliage.
At least that is what you hope.
Because hemlock that are being attacked by the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) are under a great deal of stress and will often conserve their energy and not put out the growth tips.
What to look for : hemlock without the growing tips, the picture shown is an extreme example
image : (c) Nick Bell
What to do if you find it : please get a picture if possible and email your information to hwa@nshemlock.ca
Field Guide
The situation is rapidly changing -- since the Guide was released in 2017, Emerald Ash Borer has been detected in Nova Scotia while it is listed in the guide as not here yet.
We can all help keep our forests healthy by knowing what to look for and reporting outbreaks when we find them.
