Forest Health
Summer Tree Insects to Keep an Eye On
Southern pine beetle, spotted lanternfly, fall webworm, and elm leaf beetles, oh my! Keep your eyes open for these summer tree insects.
March 26, 2025
Southern pine beetle, spotted lanternfly, fall webworm, and elm leaf beetles, oh my! Keep your eyes open for these summer tree insects.
On May 8, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 223 into law, providing multiple forms of tax relief for timber owners and farmers who suffered substantial economic losses from Hurricane Helene. Key provisions are listed here.
Springtime in Georgia may be delightful, but for pond owners, it often brings about confusion and frustration as their ponds undergo seasonal changes. One such change is the appearance of plants and other organic materials on the surface of the pond.
As human populations grow and encroach upon wildlife habitats, the potential for human-wildlife interactions increases. Atlanta is home to over 6 million people and ranked as the 4th fastest-growing city in the United States. Atlanta’s extensive green spaces and dense canopy cover allow for wildlife to thrive, including the coyote (Canis latrans).
Approximately 82% of the US population lives in urban and suburban areas, environments which have several socio-economic and ecological stressors that can reduce human health and well-being and diminish ecosystem health. Urban trees help ameliorate many of the stressors urban areas face, for example by reducing air temperature and pollution, increasing health and well-being, and providing wildlife habitat and numerous ecosystem services.
The UGA Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center offers a variety of educational programs and workshops for students, educators, and the general public, focusing on topics such as wildlife conservation, forestry techniques, and the importance of biodiversity.
Farm ponds in the south almost always become stratified in the summer. Stratification occurs when the water column separates into oxygen-rich water at the surface and oxygen-poor water at the bottom separated by an abrupt transition layer called the thermocline.
In the third quarter of 2024, Georgia’s timber markets showed mixed trends. Stumpage prices for major timber products in South Georgia, except for hardwood pulpwood, fell from the last quarter.
The impact of Hurricane Helene has been devastating. There are a few key points for deducting timber casualty losses resulting from a federally declared disaster like Hurricane Helene and deferring taxes on salvage timber sales, presented here.
Southern pine beetle (SPB) is a small native beetle that can cause a widespread damage in pine forests. Normally, SPB occurs in low levels attacking stress-weakened trees, but when SPB populations increase to epidemic levels, they will begin attacking healthy pine trees.
Some Georgia residents may believe wildfires are only problematic in Western U.S. states, but every year thousands of wildfires occur across the state with some years bringing more risk than others. You can reduce the risk of wildfire!
In February 2025, the second annual Wild Spotter Invasive Species Ambassador Training will take place at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama. This three-day workshop is designed to equip natural resource managers and community leaders with practical skills and tools to strengthen invasive species management, local program engagement, and community outreach.
Southern pine beetle, spotted lanternfly, fall webworm, and elm leaf beetles, oh my! Keep your eyes open for these summer tree insects.
On May 8, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 223 into law, providing multiple forms of tax relief for timber owners and farmers who suffered substantial economic losses from Hurricane Helene. Key provisions are listed here.
Springtime in Georgia may be delightful, but for pond owners, it often brings about confusion and frustration as their ponds undergo seasonal changes. One such change is the appearance of plants and other organic materials on the surface of the pond.
As human populations grow and encroach upon wildlife habitats, the potential for human-wildlife interactions increases. Atlanta is home to over 6 million people and ranked as the 4th fastest-growing city in the United States. Atlanta’s extensive green spaces and dense canopy cover allow for wildlife to thrive, including the coyote (Canis latrans).
Approximately 82% of the US population lives in urban and suburban areas, environments which have several socio-economic and ecological stressors that can reduce human health and well-being and diminish ecosystem health. Urban trees help ameliorate many of the stressors urban areas face, for example by reducing air temperature and pollution, increasing health and well-being, and providing wildlife habitat and numerous ecosystem services.
The UGA Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center offers a variety of educational programs and workshops for students, educators, and the general public, focusing on topics such as wildlife conservation, forestry techniques, and the importance of biodiversity.
Farm ponds in the south almost always become stratified in the summer. Stratification occurs when the water column separates into oxygen-rich water at the surface and oxygen-poor water at the bottom separated by an abrupt transition layer called the thermocline.
In the third quarter of 2024, Georgia’s timber markets showed mixed trends. Stumpage prices for major timber products in South Georgia, except for hardwood pulpwood, fell from the last quarter.
The impact of Hurricane Helene has been devastating. There are a few key points for deducting timber casualty losses resulting from a federally declared disaster like Hurricane Helene and deferring taxes on salvage timber sales, presented here.
Southern pine beetle (SPB) is a small native beetle that can cause a widespread damage in pine forests. Normally, SPB occurs in low levels attacking stress-weakened trees, but when SPB populations increase to epidemic levels, they will begin attacking healthy pine trees.
Some Georgia residents may believe wildfires are only problematic in Western U.S. states, but every year thousands of wildfires occur across the state with some years bringing more risk than others. You can reduce the risk of wildfire!
In February 2025, the second annual Wild Spotter Invasive Species Ambassador Training will take place at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama. This three-day workshop is designed to equip natural resource managers and community leaders with practical skills and tools to strengthen invasive species management, local program engagement, and community outreach.