The Forestry Forum

Took a trip to Northumberland PA yesterday to pick up a hot tub.
Noticed browning on the hillsides.
Is the Dreaded Gypsy Moth there?

I was told by my log buyer from pa that there back

i haven't seen any here but what we do have is an oak wilt problem. particularly in red oak.

I was out today on Blue Mountain in Berks County PA working on an FSC certified plan for a 2,000 acre landowner and it us ugly. Most plots are showing 20-30% mortality in the oaks heavy to chestnut oak in all soils,  aspects and stands across diameter classes.  The gypsy moths were terrible the last few years but we also have other stresses from pest and pathogens pushing stands past there breaking point.  My biggest fear is the mortality is just beginning and will continue for several years on more stems and also the red oaks.  The other huge issue is the understood in a lit of places in PA is crowded with invasives and undesirable species (stripped maple sweet birch) and little to no overstory species are regenerating.

I have two oak parcels in Steuben county NY.
Had GM on the one in I think 1988 0r 89.
Hired a firm to spray.
In those days no GPS so i had to put up Helium balloons at the property corners
Did this before dawn and nearly stepped on a fawn while heading to my NW corner.
Took a ride to the property on a route that I could see the hillside.
My property was the only green in evidence.
Best $1,000 I ever spent.