"Forestry for the Future"
Pennsylvania's forests contain a wealth of viable resources that offer personal enjoyment and economic gains. However these forests are not without occasional blight. A variety of pests including deer, insects and disease occur in Pennsylvania woodlands. This webpage will serve as a educational link to deal with woodland pest management.
Increasing numbers of white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania's forests and urban areas impacts the success of tree seedling establishment. Deer overpopulation is problematic because they tend to strip their habitat of its life-supporting qualities, not just for deer, but for many woodland wildlife species.
Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is a non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to ensuring a high-quality and sustainable future for white-tailed deer and white-tailed deer hunting. The QDMA promotes safe and ethical hunting, involvement in education and management, stewardship and appreciation of all life.
White-Tailed Deer
White-tailed deer is an informational link provided by the PA Game Commission. It supplies facts relating to habitat, reproduction, diet, and management options for Pennsylvania's quickly growing deer herd.
Interaction among deer browsing, hunting, and tree regeneration is a study that was conducted in British Columbia, Canada but has applicable information relating to deer, hunting and tree regeneration in Pennsylvania forests.
Hundreds of insects have adapted to feeding and living on Pennsylvania's forest tree species. Most of these creatures do not drastically harm the forest ecosystem however a handful of others that may feed on roots, leaves or twigs have the potential to cause a lot of damage to forest trees.
Gypsy Moth. USDA APHIS PPQ Archives, USDA APHIS PPQ, www.forestryimages.org
Forest Pest Management, brought to you by the PA DCNR, has established an objective to manage the health of the forest of the Commonwealth in a manner that will limit forest value losses. This site includes information on pest insects and disease. Important Insect and Disease Pests of Pennsylvania's Forests is another great site from the PA DCNR.
Hemlocks at Risk is a informational reference from the Ohio Division of Forestry examining the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, a pest that is the single greatest threat to the health and sustainability of hemlock as a forest resource in eastern North America.
Forest Pest Control is a link that refers to some of Pennsylvania's common pest species. Images as well as species specific case scenarios and estimated losses caused by forest insects is provided.
According to the Forest Health Network (1999), "a healthy forest is one that maintains and sustains desirable ecosystem functions and processes. [...] The condition of forest health is manifested through a spectrum of ecological indicators, including ones related to biodiversity change, resilience, wildlife habitat, aesthetic appeal, and resource sustainability." Unfortunately not all forest ecosystems maintain a healthy life. Disease and insects are the two major components that change forest health.
Black Knot Disease of Cherry Trees. Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , www.forestryimages.org
Forest pathology is the study of forest diseases and how they can be controlled. Forest tree disease can be classified when either a biotic agent (living organism) or an abiotic agent (environmental condition) influences the health of the organism.
Forest & Shade Tree Pathology is provided as an aid to those learning forest and shade tree pathology. General topics referring to tree disease, disease profiles and miscellaneous information is provided.
Concepts of Disease and Names is a good general resource for forest pathology, or the study of tree disease. Signs and symptoms for various fungal infections are supplied.
Pathology, provided by the Canadian Forest Service, covers topics fro the history of forest pathology, biotic and abiotic pathogens, as well as control methods.
Forest Health Protection seeks to protect and improve the health of America's forests. Links to other Forest Service departments and pest information is also available.
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