Law Enforcement

…headquartered at GFC’s central office in Dry Branch, Georgia. Among the duties of our investigators: investigate timber harvest complaints investigate wildland fires and suspected cases of arson investigate crimes involving…

Cavities in Trees

Cavities are created when physical wounding of the trunk occurs whether by human, weather or wildlife action. These wounds are then expanded by wood decaying fungi, bacteria or wildlife and can occur anywhere on the tree, but are most critical when they occur in the trunk or in major stems and branches.

Total Maximum Daily Loadings (TMDL)

In July of 1997, the state of Georgia came under a federal court order to develop Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rates and implementation plans on water quality impaired stream segments. GFC was tasked with developing the forestry component for TMDL plans.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

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Updated September 26, 2023 David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org photo credit The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic insect that belongs to a group of metallic wood-boring beetles….

Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth) in Georgia

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In March 2022, the Entomological Society of America adopted the common name “spongy moth” as the common name for the invasive moth Lymantria dispar (formerly known as “gypsy moth”). We…

Pine Bark Beetles in Georgia

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Southern Pine BeetlePine bark beetles are insects that normally attack stressed and dying pine trees, and usually do not infest trees that are otherwise healthy and vigorous. They are attracted…

Sirex Woodwasp in Georgia

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A non-native woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, was detected in New York (NY) in 2005 and likely entered a port via solid wood packing material in cargo. This insect is native to…

Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in Georgia

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Sudden Oak Death (Bark) – Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Sudden Oak Death (SOD) was first reported in 1995 in central coastal California. Since then, tens of thousands of…

Laurel Wilt Disease Associated with Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

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Laurel Wilt disease in Redbay. (L) Toothpick-like frass tubes extruded by ambrosia beetles boring into the wood. (C) Large Redbay trees killed by Laurel Wilt, rotting, and falling to the…