Forest Health developments

• To: Multiple recipients of list FOREST <FOREST@LISTSERV.FUNET.FI>
• Subject: Forest Health developments
• From: Gerry Hawkes <ghawkes@SOVER.NET>
• Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 06:48:21 -0400
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• Reply-To: FOREST Mailing list on forest research and studies <FOREST@LISTSERV.FUNET.FI>
• Sender: OWNER-FOREST@LISTSERV.FUNET.FI

Quickly, here are a FEW of the NEW symptoms of a rapidly weakening forest
ecosystem that I have noticed locally over the past few weeks.  These are in
addition to the long list of species and afflictions I posted quite some
time ago.  This is only a partial listing.  Please share your observations.

                           ***********

BALSAM FIR (Abies balsamea) - new growth on some trees is curling -
individual trees are suddenly dying and turning bright orange - previously
no problems have been noticed locally with Balsam fir

SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum) - heavy stress crop of seeds - leaves
generally slightly to severely yellowed - leaves often undersized - leaves
eminating from apical buds are stunted, deformed, red yellow & dying -
many trees just beginning to drop a few leaves - many leaves are starting
to curl up almost like drought effects, but it has been very wet -
tar-like spots on some leaves - dieback of limbs and tree tops increasing
in speed - mottled leaves

NORWAY SPRUCE (Picea abies) - After years of thinning needles (premature
drop of second year needles) an increasing number are dead or have dead
limbs

RED SPRUCE (Picea rubens) - Widespread browning and dieback throughout the
forest after years of poor vigor and elevated mortality

WHITE PINE (Pinus strobus) - Serious browning of needles even on trees far
from the nearest highways where browning and dieback was particularly
severe this spring.

HEMLOCK (Tsuga canadensis) - Continued decline in vigor, but needles
decidedly browner.

YELLOW BIRCH (Betula alleghaniensis) - Continued dieback

WHITE BIRCH (Betula papyrifera) - Continued dieback and high levels
of mortality

WHITE ASH (Fraxinus americana) - Serious dieback and mortality continues,
but appears to be picking up speed

RED OAK (Quercus rubra) -  Serious dieback of limbs continues

RED PINE (Pinus resinosa) - Browning of needles and dieback, especially
along highways

AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus grandifolia) - Increased yellowing of leaves,
especially at tips of branches

BUTTERNUT (Juglans cinerea) - Continued widespread dieback and mortality

BASSWOOD (Tilia americana) - Continued elevated levels of dieback and
mortality



- Gerry Hawkes - Woodstock, Vermont - ghawkes@sover.net

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