The Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program has provided the Nation’s forest census since 1930. A system of forest measurement field plots across the United States serves as the program’s foundation.

The Georgia Forestry Commission has begun the 15th year of its campaign to fight the exotic, invasive weed known as cogongrass. Forty three new detections have been confirmed from January 1, 2021 through March 17, 2021 in Georgia, bringing the statewide cumulative total to 1,501 cogongrass spots. This number is moderately higher than the 31 detections made during this same time period in 2020.

Drought is a main contributing factor to shade tree decline. Extended drought can influence the health of shade trees by the loss of absorbing roots.

There were 95 new detections in 2019, bringing the number of known cogongrass spots in the state to 1351, scattered across 65
counties.

Twenty three new detections have been confirmed from January 1, 2020 through March 10, 2020 in Georgia, bringing the statewide cumulative total to 1,374 cogongrass spots.

The 1457 cogongrass spots encompass a total of 373 acres. The status and treatment for each spot is at varying levels. The Georgia Forestry Commission recognizes a spot as eradicated after three consecutive years of finding no cogongrass resprouts.