Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth) in Georgia
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…
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in Georgia
Updated January 2020 Background Hemlock Woolly Adelgids (photo courtesy of bugwood.org) Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an invasive insect native to Japan. This aphid-like insect threatens hemlock trees in the…
Pine Bark Beetles in Georgia
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
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…
Heterobasidion Root Disease (formally Annosum Root Disease) in Georgia
HRD Leaning Tree – USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Many Georgia landowners with property along, or south of, the fall line (running from Augusta to Columbus) are noticing dead and dying…
Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in Georgia
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
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…
GFC and COVID-19
…appointments. Please call your local GFC office or use email to reach local personnel. Statewide contact information is here: https://gatrees.org/about/county-contacts/. Chief rangers and rangers, one at a time, are staffing…
Prescribed Fire and COVID-19
…potentially wait until next year Get a permit by calling your local county office Let’s ensure that when the history of this pandemic is written, that forestry is written as…
Forestry Considered Critical Workforce Under “Shelter in Place” Executive Order
…the patchwork of local ordinances at the city and county level. Thanks to clear direction from the Governor’s office, a letter allowing critical industry workers to circulate is not required…