Treesearch

Chipping and debarking of infested woody material such as branches and logs are common sanitation methods used to kill bark- and wood-infesting insects. The sixspined ips, Ips calligraphus (Germar), is a native North American bark beetle (Coleoptera: Curcu-lionidae: Scolytinae) that infests several pine (Pinus) species. We evaluated I. calligraphus mortality after debarking and grinding, using 12 recently cut longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) logs that had undergone natural colonization for three weeks in Florida. Initial bark beetle densities were estimated from samples collected the...

Reclaimed wood is a repurposed building material salvaged from old or abandoned buildings that offers a sustainable approach to using wood in communities. Although there have been some studies on reclaimed wood, there has been a limited amount linking reclaimed wood to consumerism. In August 2021, an online survey was conducted to gauge adult consumers’ knowledge of the wood products industry and their attitudes on reclaimed wood practices. Adult consumers are defined as individuals residing in the United States who are 18 years of age or older. Study results indicate that many respondents...

Enhanced weathering of terrestrial rock material is a promising method for the removal of anthropogenic CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. Herein, we demonstrate that an ameliorated mining waste product can be effectively weathered in the soil environment when used as a soil amendment in conjunction with the cultivation of fast-growing willows (Salix matsudana Koidz. ⨯ S. alba L. “Austree”) in a pot study environment. Utilizing this locally sourced amendment minimizes emissions associated with grinding and transportation of enhanced weathering materials. Results showed that the willows...

In Part 1 of this series (Garcia et al., 2022), we introduced a novel individual-based model for the simulation of dispersal flight of adult spruce budworm (SBW: Choristoneura fumiferana) and demonstrated the results of that model under real weather conditions for two nights in July 2013 on which SBW mass dispersal events were observed by weather radar in southern Quebec, Canada. Here, following the selection of one uncertain parameter value using empirical measurements, we used those radar observations for the quantitative calibration of two uncertain flight model variables in our...

The Spiny Softshell is one of two softshell turtles found in Wisconsin and is often found in the southern, western, and central portions of the state. It is a wary aquatic turtle with a narrow pointed snout, thin body, and relatively flat leathery shell.

Mushrooms growing in potting soil are a common problem reported in nursery production and in potted plants in the indoor and outdoor home landscape. Many of these fungi are saprotrophic and feed on the organic matter contained in the potting soil itself and/or in the mulch, which varies in composition but often contains tree bark, wood chips, pine straw, moss, or leaves. These fungi are not necessarily harmful to the plants, but fungal fruiting bodies can make plants unmarketable. Unknown fungi can also be concerning to retailers and homeowners because of potential toxicity to pets and...

Background: Oak wilt disease, caused by Bretziella fagacearum is a significant threat to oak (Quercus spp.) tree health in the United States and Eastern Canada. The disease may cause dramatic damage to natural and urban ecosystems without management. Early and accurate diagnosis followed by timely treatment increases the level of disease control success. Results: A rapid assay based on loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was first developed with fluorescence detection of B. fagacearum after 30-minute reaction time. Six different primers were designed to specifically bind and...

In bottomland forests, managing oak regeneration is challenging due to competition with other species. Low understory light levels in mature stands favor more shade-tolerant tree species, whereas harvest often results in release of fast-growing competitors. In the late 1990s, a study was initiated in northeastern Missouri to evaluate the effects of overstory harvests on stand development of bottomland forests, with particular interest in oak regeneration. Canopy removal resulted in rapid growth of undesired soft-mast species without increasing the abundance of oak reproduction. In 2017,...

Purpose of Review The invasion of North America by the Asian beetle Agrilus planipennis has caused severe economic and ecological damage to ash (Fraxinus) tree populations. Agrilus planipennis has recently entered eastern Europe and is spreading there. Many other Agrilus species can potentially become invasive pests due to the cryptic nature of their immature stages that can be inconspicuously transported within infested plant material. We review the ecology, economic impacts, and management strategies of Agrilus worldwide and highlight research gaps. Recent Findings Much has been learned...

We ask how environmental justice and urban ecology have influenced one another over the past 25 years in the context of the US Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program and Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) project. BES began after environmental justice emerged through activism and scholarship in the 1980s but spans a period of increasing awareness among ecologists and environmental practitioners. The work in Baltimore provides a detailed example of how ecological research has been affected by a growing understanding of environmental justice. The shift shows how unjust environmental...