Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Introduction Forest Health Guide for Georgia Foresters Written by Terry Price, Georgia Forestry Commission Adapted for the web by the Bugwood Network

This manual was prepared as a resource guide for foresters. The material included will help them make decisions about the health of the resource they manage.

Georgia is a state adorned with forests that cover more than 24 million acres of privately and commercially owned lands. The wood products derived from the forests and the recreational opportunities the forests provide are vital to the State’s economy.

Many species of insects and fungi weaken and kill trees each year in the State. The damage doesn’t stop with the tree. Pests such as powderpost beetles, termites, carpenter bees, old house borers and wood decay fungi destroy wood products. Natural elements such as tornadoes, ice and fire destroy forests and cause concern to the forest owner.

In addition to damages caused by insects, diseases, and other natural forces, things people do often damage trees and forests. Georgia currently loses about 75,000 acres of forests every year to urban sprawl.

When homes, apartments, shopping centers or office complexes are under construction, trees remaining on the site may be subjected to many abuses. More common causes of tree damage and mortality around construction sites are destruction of roots by trenching, mechanical bruising and wounding, soil compaction over the roots by heavy equipment and grade changes resulting in exposed roots or excess fill dirt. Protecting shade trees can add value and aesthetics to building sites as well as provide shade and cooling.

Chemicals emitted from mills and plants can damage trees. Georgia has well over 500 manufacturing facilities that produce toxic substances some of which are harmful to trees.

Increased demand for wood products from the forests of Georgia challenges all citizens to practice wise forestry and to be good stewards of the trees and the products they provide. Protection of wood in use reduces the demands on the forests and at the same time demonstrates a holistic concept of sustainability of the forests.

Georgia has two shipping ports that rank among the nations largest. State and federal entomologists are always on the lookout for introduced insect and disease pests entering the State. The European gypsy moth and the Asian longhorned beetle are two major insect pests that threaten the State’s hardwood forests. Dutch elm disease and chestnut blight are two introduced diseases that have virtually destroyed all native elms and chestnuts in the State. Federal and state programs aimed at the detection and eradication of new pests must continue if the forests are to be protected for future generations of people.

Pesticide recommendations listed in the Appendix are subject to change and most states have restrictions on the use of certain pesticides. Trade names of the pesticides are used in this publication strictly for the purpose of providing information. Mention of a trade name does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the Georgia Forestry Commission over other products not mentioned. Always read the label and follow directions as stated and keep all pesticides stored and locked out of the reach of children and pets.

The section on Hazards of the Forest was included to remind foresters and others of the many perils that should be avoided while working in the forests. Information contained in this guide is also available on the internet in a printable format at www.gfc.state.ga.us.

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