Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory Update

Jessica Baldwin and Dr. Lori Eckhardt

Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn AL

School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University

Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory

About

Forest Health Coop Diagnostic

Laboratory Services - Overview

History

Laboratory Sample Analysis Results

History

Forest Health Cooperative began in 2008

Bring together parties interested in maintaining forest health, productivity, and sustainability

Membership for those managing for or purchasing forest products, wildlife and endangered species

Address important and current forest health issues with real world management as a focus

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/forestry_wildlife/foresthealthcooperative

Diagnostics Clinic

Members Only page – Diagnostics Clinic Sample Collection and Submission Guide

Provide an instruction set for collecting “good”
samples for laboratory analysis
Tree Diagnostics Form
Provide a detailed sample/site history to aid in diagnosis accuracy

Needle Samples

Root Samples

Needle Samples

Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/forestry_wildlife/foresthealthcooperative/

Field Consulting

Travel to member’s location

Provide onsite diagnostic information Collect samples for laboratory analysis

Photos: FHDL

Laboratory Sample Analysis

Molecular Analysis

Laboratory Sample Analysis

Results

Roots: 3-4 weeks
Needles: 4-6 weeks

Results letter sent to member with description and relevant species information

Emerging Forest Pests and Sudden Oak Death Review

Jessica Baldwin and Dr. Lori Eckhardt

Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn AL

School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University

Forest Health Dynamics Laboratory

2020-2021 pest issues in Alabama

Hemlock woolly adelgid Pine Tip moth

Pine sawfly

Asian Longhorned Beetle Sudden Oak Death (SOD)

Adelges tsugae
Native to East Asia
Found in eastern US in 1951 in Virginia
Threat to AL: Bankhead National Forest

Photos: FHDL
- Site visit in July 2020 to Mentone, AL – landscape trees
- HWA is related to aphids
- Distinct waxy coating develops for protection
- Young instar nymphs were collected at the site
  
  Pine Tip Moth
  - Rhyacionia frustrana
  - Larvae feed on new growth and then bore into shoot
  - Severe and repeated attacks may cause stunted, deformed trees
    
    Photo: James A. Richmond, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
    
    Photo: Darrell Ross, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org Photo: A. Steven Munson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
    
    Photo: Eric R. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org
    
    Photo: Brian Bradley, NRCS Forester
    Pine Sawfly
    - Redheaded pine sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei
    - Large outbreak in Lauderdale County, AL in October 2020
    - Over 90% of saplings defoliated over 130 acres
    School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
    Photo: James McGraw, North Carolina State University
    Photo: Brian Bradley, NRCS Forester
    Asian Longhorned Beetle
    • Anoplophora glabripennis
    • Native to East China
    • First established population discovered in New York City, 1996
    • Birch, willow, elm, maples, ash, popular
    • New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, and South Carolina
    
    Photo by: Oregon Department of Agriculture
    
    School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
    Photo by: Joe Boggs, Ohio State University
    
    Sudden Oak Death
    • First reported 1995 coastal region of central California with Phytophthora ramorum positively linked to the disease in 2001
    • Fungus-like water mold (Oomycete)
    • Spreads aerially and aquatically
    • Pathogen has a wide host range
    • Three expressions of the disease
    
    Phytophthora ramorum
    
    Chlamydospores Sporangia Oospore
    - P. ramorum thrives in wet conditions
    - Chlamydospores can persist in soil and leaf litter
    - Sporangia contain flagellated zoospores
    - Oospores are resistant to damage
    Source: Steve Oak - USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection
    
    Risk To Our Forests
    - Phytophthora ramorum persists in infected nurseries even after eradication measures.
    - Inoculum is leaving infected nurseries via waste water
    - A pathway from the water into terrestrial ecosystems is plausible
    - Southeastern US climate is at least seasonally suitable for infection
    - Eastern woody plants are susceptible
    SOD Risk Map
    
    Phytophthora ramorum symptoms
    
    Source: Steve Oak - USDA Forest Service FHP
    Field Sampling
Six sampling periods per year
Optimum water temperature is 10-22oC
Bottle of Bait method: rhododendron leaves and pieces are incubated in bottles of nursery runoff water