GFC’s Rural Fire Defense Program (RFD)

GFC’s Rural Fire Defense Program (RFD) By Emily Hamilton, GFC Rural Fire Defense Manager The Georgia Forestry Commission offers special services to Georgia communities through the Rural Fire Defense Program….

Georgia Celebrates Trees this Month

…Director Tim Lowrimore. “This is a great opportunity for communities to come together and support the many benefits trees deliver, including storm water uptake, cooling shade, homes for wildlife, and…

Green Infrastructure Resources

…Proactive Green Infrastructure Provides to a Community protects critical habitats and dwindling water resources, sustaining forest resources, and allowing natural systems to remain functional. This, in turn, can communities millions…

2021 Cogongrass Spring Newsletter

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.

Georgia 2021 SPB Aerial Survey Report

Southern pine beetle (SPB) activity was very low across the state in 2021. Above average rainfall throughout the summer maintained healthy tree vigor resulting in very few pine beetle spots. Flights were flown across the state in August and September for a total of 5,509
miles.

2022 Cogongrass in Georgia Winter Update

In 2021, Irwin, Jones, and Pierce Counties were the only counties reporting cogongrass for the first time. There were 156 detections in 2021, bringing the number of known cogongrass spots in the state to 1621, scattered across 72 counties.

Needlecast in Pines

…amounts of these needle diseases, with symptoms not showing up until the next spring. Needlecast symptoms start as brown or yellow spots on the needles in early spring, and progress…

Making your Home more Energy Efficient – by Planting Trees

…to heat, and then radiating that heat back into our living spaces. The heat from roofs, walls, sidewalks, driveways, roads, and parking lots raises homes and offices’ temperatures to uncomfortable…

Leaf Watch Report for September 28th, 2022

…include spots within vistas that have begun shifting from dark green to light green with an occasional yellow patch at higher elevations. Scenic NW drive: Take Hwy 136 from i75…