Forest disturbances in Minnesota: Join us online July 19

Nearly two million acres of Minnesota's 17 million acres of forests were impacted by some kind of disturbance over the past five years. These disturbances include damage from weather, insects and diseases, fire, and animal damage such as deer browse. So which disturbances impact us most? Join us online on July 19 as Matt Russell from the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources offers perspectives on the impacts of these disturbances across Minnesota's landscape.

Dealing with storm-damaged trees and woods

It's storm season in Minnesota! Take a look at this post from our archives--we pulled together some resources that may be of assistance to homeowners and landowners as they clean up after the storm and plan for what's next in their woods and yards.

Oak wilt in Minnesota: low risk period

As of July 11, the state of Minnesota has transitioned into a low risk period for oak wilt. Oaks may become infected during this time, but the probability is very low. It is still best to delay pruning of the oaks until later this fall, or to quickly seal the any pruning wounds with shellac or paint. Next update is expected November 1, 2016. Read more about oak wilt here.

New factsheet on managing eastern spruce budworm

A new fact sheet from the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources can help forestry professionals, landowners, and others develop strategies for managing spruce budworm outbreaks. This fact sheet discusses the life cycle and symptoms of spruce budworm and management strategies to maintain healthy and productive spruce-fir forests in Minnesota. Click here to read more.

Meet a Minnesota landowner: The Riester Family

It's not difficult to get MFA members John and Vicki Riester to talk about the family, friends, foresters, soil and water conservationists and contractors who have worked with them over the years to improve their 602-acre property near Red Wing, Minnesota. Click here to read about Minnesota's 2016 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.

IN THE NEWS

Prioritizing pests | The Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center undertook an expansive research prioritization to evaluate threats posed by a wide array of terrestrial invasive insects, plants, and plant pathogens. The public is welcome and encouraged to comment on the list at the MITPPC website.

Got a plan? | A stewardship plan, that is. Free site visits & initial forest stewardship consultations are available to landowners via St. Louis County SWCD.

Army worms retreat | If you haven't seen forest tent caterpillars in your woods by now, you probably won't see them this year. Via Duluth News Tribune.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUL 19

Webinar: Forest disturbances in Minnesota - What impacts us most? Online

JUL 29

Silvopasture Camp Turtle Lake, WI

JUL 30

Silvopasture Camp Turtle Lake, WI

A complete listing and all event details can be found on our Events Calendar