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Look what we found!
What is this thing?
Did you leave on the ground
A piece of orange string?
[See below "Nature Mysteries Revealed" for the answer!]
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Marie Liu's Art Reception at BCHC |
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A Beautiful Sunny Day on the Preserve |
Over 40 were in attendance Sunday, July 19th, for the socially-distanced opening reception of Marie Liu's exhibit "Falling for the Poconos." Visitors enjoyed warm weather and a nice breeze as they explored the nature trails, scouted for hawks and eagles, and indulged in refreshments on the back deck, including Marie's mother's delicious homemade biscotti!
A surprise visit from William Penn (a virtual performance by actor Erik Burro) offered a historic perspective on "The Great Council Tree" and the rich history and beauty of the Poconos Region.
Missed the reception?
Marie's exhibit will be on display through September, 2020. Paintings for sale upon request.
Click here for a full video tour of Marie's artwork and the history behind each piece!
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Saving Hemlock Trees in Mt. Pocono |
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Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) |
HWA is a white insect pest that sucks sap from hemlock trees, causing defoliation and eventual tree death.
Native to Japan and first noticed in Virginia in 1951, HWA has been expanding rapidly, and as of 2006 covered 90%
of the hemlock’s range in North America (Kok & Salom 2006).
The pest is probably present on all PHLT preserves, but has affected some stands more severely than others.
Hemlock stands at Yankee Run Nature Preserve in
particular have been devastated over the last 10 years.
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A woolly white pest on hemlock tree needles |
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Options for Pest Control of HWA |
Chemical control for HWA can only protect individual trees, and requires the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, which are likely to pollute waterways, harm pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Pruning affected branches in summer or applying
horticultural oils are other, less toxic options.
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The method of biological control (introducing a natural predator to the pest) is often successful, or at least "likely successful" across the studies conducted for this particular pest. As with any bio-control, adverse effects are always possible, however, none have been reported to date in HWA control (Leppanen et al. 2018). |
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Tree-Savers Bio-Control Beetles |
Thanks to a generous donation from Tree-Savers, PHLT was able to obtain 5 colonies (that's 500 beetles!) of the natural HWA predator: Sasajiscymnus tsugae. According to Tree-Savers, this beetle is the natural predator that manages HWA and keeps Hemlocks thriving in Japan.
Here they are, alive in packing material. Aren't they tiny?
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On July 14th, the bio-control agent was released on our Yankee Run, Kurmes, Pocono Creek, and Learn Preserves. The method is easy! Stewardship Manager Matt (pictured left) places the entire bundle (beetles and their packing material included) on the lowest infested branch, affixed with a simple clothespin. The beetles will soon disperse up the tree and begin feeding on the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid pest. |
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A Future for Hemlock Trees |
Many factors tie into the safety and efficacy of HWA control. The bio-control beetles are only about 1 mm
and spend most of the time in the tree canopy, so it is
difficult to sample them. The only real indication of
success is in examining the health of the hemlock trees.
S. tsugae beetles were first released on these PHLT preserves in 2018 - and upon returning for a second application, we noted lower populations of the HWA pest, especially at the Kurmes Preserve. That is a hopeful sign!
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Matt hopes to connect with Tree-savers staff next year to assess the impact of the release. In the meantime – bon apetit, little beetles! |
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Biological control is part of an integrated pest management approach. Through good stewardship practices, and remembering never to move firewood, we can all take part in keeping this pest under control.
Currently, the best bets for minimizing this pest include sub-zero artic cold snaps in winter, which can cause HWA mortality of over 95%, as well as looking for natural HWA resistance in individual hemlock trees. So, if you find a healthy hemlock tree in an area otherwise under stress from HWA, please report it to this project! |
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Our Pocono Waters Campaign |
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You may have noticed lately a new campaign taking social media by storm: The Pledge to Defend Our Pocono Waters
... So what's it all about?
The Poconos are home to some of the cleanest waters in the state, which are essential to wildlife, recreation, and even our local economy. In fact, just 2% of Pennsylvania streams are deemed to be of "Exceptional Value," and an astounding 80% of them are located here in the Poconos! Recently, many of these streams have been threatened by powerful business interests, and it is up to us to defend them, for their future is at stake.
Protecting our Exceptional Value streams does not mean halting development. It means that any development projects must be planned without compromising the water quality of the stream.
Are you a businessowner, homeowner, or someone who has ever enjoyed the beauty of the Poconos region? (Hint: the answer is yes). If so, Our Pocono Waters needs your support.
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Environmental Holidays to Savor the Summer Celebrations! |
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Stay on the lookout for:
Celebrate the "dog days of summer" on:
And pack yourself a picnic:
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No, it isn't twine... it's a vine!
Dodder vine (cuscuta species) is an
orange parasitic plant. Mildly photosynthetic, it can survive only 5 to 10 days on its own, growing quickly in search of a host plant.
Once it can tap into the vascular system of a host, the vine severs its connection to the soil, and feeds completely off its host plant for all its water and nutrients needs!
Dodder vine is killed by frost each winter, regenerating from seed the following year.
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