Callery Pear Information

Callery pear is one of the most rapidly-spreading invasive plants in the eastern U.S. This plant stems from cultivars of ornamental pears, most commonly the Bradford pear. Callery pear can have long thorns, and grows singly or in thick patches in old fields, roadsides, or forested areas.

Forest Health Archived Resources

…New Ambrosia Beetle Detected (2010 Update) Southern Pine Beetle Outbreak (2017) Thousand Cankers Disease (2010 Update) Wildfire Damage Assessment – West Mims Fire (2017) Back to the Forest Health section….

Environmental Risks to Arthropods from Imidacloprid Applications for Hemlock Conservation

Managing hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) can involve use of insecticides. When it does, the non-target impacts (negative effects to other organisms) need to be thoroughly considered
and weighed against the environmental cost of inaction or alternative management approaches. Insecticides applied for HWA management are used for conservation purposes, which may seem counterintuitive. However, hemlocks are a key forest species, and so their loss can result in severe ecological consequences. To justify insecticide use against HWA, we have to ask: What are the possible negative consequences of using insecticides in the forest? We must consider these trade-offs in hemlock management. It is important to remember that there will be trade-offs in any kind of resource management discussion, even if it may not initially seem apparent. The negative environmental consequences of hemlock mortality must be weighed against the known consequences of insecticide use to preserve hemlocks.

Landowners Can Help Reduce Wildfire in Georgia

By Frank Sorrells, GFC Chief of Protection. Over the years, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Protection team has responded to tens of thousands of wildfires. In fact, each year more…

2020 Georgia Timber Product Output and Use

Georgia forests accounted for a total of 1,383,131 thousand cubic feet (MCF) of timber products while the forest products industry produced a total of 1,395,847 MCF within the State.

Pass the Tissue, it’s Pollen Time!

…Georgia Forestry Commission, pollen is a critical part of the Reforestation Department’s mission. Pine pollen plays an important role in the generation of superior trees that are cross-bred for desirable…

COGONGRASS: IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT!

…a monoculture of just cogongrass. It also burns hotter than our native grasses and creates serious fire hazards in areas where it has become established. Initially, it was thought that…

Wildfire Risk High as July Fourth Holiday Approaches

…build throughout Georgia, the Georgia Forestry Commission is reminding residents about the increasing risk of wildfire. “We need everybody’s help in keeping our communities and our forestlands safe,” said Georgia…

Pass the Tissue, it’s Pollen Time!

…receive pollen. Male pollen from superior parent will be injected into bag to pollenate flowers when they are at maximum receptivity. At the Georgia Forestry Commission, pollen is a critical…

“Smokey Bear and Me: A Thanksgiving Thrill!”

…as we shared our common ground fire prevention message. Helping hold the lines on our giant, helium-filled Big Bear in the Big Apple was quite an experience! Fortunately, it wasn’t…