Washington Annual Forest Health Highlights Report Illustrates Challenges
Washington’s forests continue to face an array of challenges brought on by an increasingly dry climate and the consequences of past forest management practices, according to the latest Forest Health Highlights report compiled by scientists with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Forest lands endured stressors like ongoing drought conditions and an historic fire season, forcing scientists with the DNR to adapt like never before. Restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic grounded the interagency aerial survey conducted by DNR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service for the first time since 1947.
Insects and fungus raise concerns in Washington s annual forest health checkup
Dry and dying vegetation can become fuel for fires, and drought brought on by climate change can hurt trees resistance to disease. Author: Glenn Farley Updated: 10:21 PM PDT May 6, 2021
Dry and dying vegetation can become fuel for fires.
Last year, Washington state recorded 1,638 fires, an increase of 243 more fires than the previous year. Late summer also saw the Sumner Grade Fire in Pierce County, which burned homes and threatened others, reminding people that wildfire isn’t just a problem on the typically drier east side of the state.
That fire was part of a rash of 116 fires that broke out on the Labor Day weekend, including the largest of the season at 233,730 acres.
Gypsy moth populations are high: What conifer growers need to know
April 16, 2021
There were extremely high populations of gypsy moth during 2020 and we anticipate elevated populations this year. Scout and treat spruce, fir and Douglas fir for gypsy moths.
Photo 1. Gypsy moth aerial survey performed during 2020 showed up to one million acres were defoliated in 2020. Photo from Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020 Report.
Gypsy moth populations are expected to be very high again this year. According to the Department of Natural Resource’s report, “Michigan Forest Health Highlights 2020,” Michigan’s Lower Peninsula had nearly one million acres that were defoliated by gypsy moth. According to a map of gypsy moth defoliation provided in the report, the heaviest defoliation was in Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda and Alcona counties in eastern Michigan and Manistee, Lake and Newaygo counties in western Michigan (Photo 1). Other Michigan State University Extension educators report