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January 2010

Tue, 01/05/2010
Farewell to taco topping?
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

Threatening both forest health and delicious taco toppings, the Redbay ambrosia beetle spread laurel wilt disease. Why should you care? Well, laurel wilt disease affects avocado trees, and unfortunately, the movement of firewood could soon bring this disease into North America's prime avocado growing areas.

 

Wed, 01/06/2010
Stay wood stove safe (and warm) this winter
Posted by: S. Volkman
Comments: 0

With the rising costs of oil and natural gas, suddenly more people are discovering (and rediscovering) wood stoves to heat their homes this winter.

While this heating source offers a cheaper alternative, it comes with safety and environmental considerations that are not as easy as turning up the thermostat.

To make sure you'll be both cozy and safe all season long, take a look at the New York State Department of Evironmental Conservation's recommendations--- relevant no matter what state you're in.

Mon, 01/11/2010
Movie about firewood villains!
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

Today is a showing of the new documentary, Lurking in the Trees, about the experience that Worcester MA has had with Asian longhorned beetles. It is being shown at the Massachusetts statehouse in Boston, MA, to state legislators, officials, press, and agency personnel.

 

Fri, 01/15/2010
Californian oaks in peril
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 1

There are two things currently threatening California's oaks- Phytophthora ramorum, also known as Sudden Oak Death, and the Gold spotted oak borer.

 

Both of these are non-native pests that kill oaks. One is found mostly in wet areas of Northern CA, and the other in certain very dry parts of Southern CA.

 

What else do they have in common? They both can be spread on firewood.

 

Fri, 01/22/2010
But if it is already here...
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

People often ask if it isn't thaaaat bad to move firewood if a pest is already established, on the idea of "what further harm can be done?" It is a valid question, so I thought I'd pontificate for a second on that idea and why I disagree.

 

Wed, 01/27/2010
Good work in CA
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 1

The Californians are really paying attention to the gold spotted oak borer this January, and I wanted to salute the Ventura County University of California Cooperative Extension blog for a nice, short article on GSOB.

 

My favorite part, naturally, reads as follows;

 

" At this time, all we can do is work together to slow the spread of the GSOB with the following steps: