Forest Health Developments
6/20/96
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Topic: Forest Health developments
Written 3:48 AM Jun 20, 1996 by ghawkes@SOVER.NET in
cdp:list.forest
From: Gerry Hawkes
Quickly, here are a FEW of the NEW symptoms of a rapidly weakening
forest ecosystem that I have noticed locally over the past few weeks.
These are in addition to the long list of species and afflictions I
posted quite some time ago. This is only a partial listing. Please
share your observations.
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BALSAM FIR (Abies balsamea) - new growth on some trees is curling -
individual trees are suddenly dying and turning bright orange -
previously no problems have been noticed locally with Balsam fir
SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum) - heavy stress crop of seeds - leaves
generally slightly to severely yellowed - leaves often undersized -
leaves eminating from apical buds are stunted, deformed, red yellow &
dying -many trees just beginning to drop a few leaves - many leaves
are starting to curl up almost like drought effects, but it has been
very wet -tar-like spots on some leaves - dieback of limbs and tree
tops increasing in speed - mottled leaves
NORWAY SPRUCE (Picea abies) - After years of thinning needles
(premature drop of second year needles) an increasing number are dead
or have dead limbs
RED SPRUCE (Picea rubens) - Widespread browning and dieback
throughout the forest after years of poor vigor and elevated
mortality
WHITE PINE (Pinus strobus) - Serious browning of needles even on
trees far from the nearest highways where browning and dieback was
particularly severe this spring.
HEMLOCK (Tsuga canadensis) - Continued decline in vigor, but needles
decidedly browner.
YELLOW BIRCH (Betula alleghaniensis) - Continued dieback
WHITE BIRCH (Betula papyrifera) - Continued dieback and high levels
of mortality
WHITE ASH (Fraxinus americana) - Serious dieback and mortality
continues, but appears to be picking up speed
RED OAK (Quercus rubra) - Serious dieback of limbs continues
RED PINE (Pinus resinosa) - Browning of needles and dieback,
especially along highways
AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus grandifolia) - Increased yellowing of leaves,
especially at tips of branches
BUTTERNUT (Juglans cinerea) - Continued widespread dieback and
mortality
BASSWOOD (Tilia americana) - Continued elevated levels of dieback and
mortality