We were in Washington last week to talk to legislators and USDA staff about the need for stronger action to prevent new forest pests from entering the country. It was hot and this tree provided some shade, but will it be killed by an invasive pest? #foresthealth

We are sure that we are the most evolved living species on this planet? (Wait for it)

We had colors over colors in the #Adirondacks today.

A Canadian Heritage moment.🇨🇦 x.com/BornAKang/stat…

Baseball History Is No Longer Written With Ash Bats nyti.ms/3TExqTV

The fall foliage may be finished, but the larches are lovely. Aldo Leopold called them "Smoky Gold." Fish Creek, #Adirondacks

PHOTO OF THE DAY: "Minerva Stream, Minerva, NY." Photo: Sharon Stone

Invasive forest pests are known for killing trees outright, but here's an interesting twist. The spotted-wing drosophila damages native tree fruits, causing early decay and reducing the fruit available for birds and other animals. #foresthealth buff.ly/3DRkyUl

A thoughtful article on a subject that has spawned a lot of tree mysticism.

Last week we bagged some of the high peaks of Cape Cod, including Fort Hill (elevation 33 feet) and Skiff Hill (elevation 46 feet).

Such a cool video on the science of poison ivy by Rob Nelson youtube.com/watch?v=Y5A3y0…

The short answer is no, they can't be stopped, but we may be able to manage them with biological control. On the other hand, if we have the political will, we may be able to stop the NEXT invasive forest pest from getting into the country.

Something to consider: In 1970 the Clean Air Act passed with a vote of 374 to 1 in the House and 74 to 0 in the Senate. In 1973 the Endangered Species Act passed with a vote of 355 to 4 in the House and 92 to 0 in the Senate. Try to imagine that happening today.

The emerald ash borer is not just an ecological disaster, it's also a cultural disaster. #foresthealth Ash Trees Are Vanishing. So Is a Basket Maker That Has Depended on Them for 168 Years. nyti.ms/3PiRD0G

"If looks could kill, as they say. Sadly, these ones do." Spotted lanternfly makes the NY Times "Most Stylish" list. 93 Most Stylish ‘People’ of 2022 nyti.ms/3PhvH6c

Here's the dapper winner!

The NY Times put the Spotted Lanternfly on its “Most Stylish” list. Shothole Borers in California thinks shot hole borers deserve to be on the list. Sure, they are cute in their own way, but they are out of their league in this competition. Vote in our Prettiest Pest Poll (see photos in thread) :

Spotted lanternfly has serious impacts on apples and grapes, but we haven't heard much about its effects on native trees. This new study by Emily Lavely and colleagues shows that heavy infestations can cause significant growth reduction in maples. frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…