Category: Dave Coyle

It’s time for our annual update on invasive tree pests in South Carolina! We all know that South Carolina’s forests have their share of pests – most of which are native and typically only impact stressed or injured trees. However, several invasive species are established in our state or in neighboring states. Emerald ash borerThe […]

They’re big. They’re brightly colored. And they give a lot of people the creeps. It’s spider season, y’all! Joro spider season, to be specific. Every late fall for the last few years, we’ve seen a massive uptick in the number of Joro spiders in South Carolina. Initially just found in the Upstate, they can now […]

South Carolina’s forests have their share of pests – this we know. And while most of these pests are native and typically only impact stressed or injured trees, several non-native species are present and established in our state. Of those non-native species, a few are true invasives, capable of causing widespread economic and/or ecological damage. […]

Dogwood trees (Cornus species) are one of South Carolina’s beautiful flowering tree species, blooming in early spring. Their white flowers can often be seen in the forest understory before most other trees have leafed out, and many people have them as a part of their landscape. But, sometimes, that dogwood in your yard might not […]

The leaves on a hardwood tree make the food, so it stands to reason that any loss of foliage would be detrimental to tree health…right? Well, not always. Unlike the impacts of girdling (phloem loss) which are detrimental whenever they occur, the impact of foliage loss depends on the season in which it occurs. In […]

The forests of South Carolina – like those throughout the United States – certainly have their share of pests. While most of these pests are native and typically only impact stressed or injured trees, several non-native species are present and established in South Carolina. And of those non-native species, a few are true invasives, capable […]

Prescribed fire is a commonly used management tool in both pine and hardwood forests in South Carolina. When used correctly, it has many benefits to forest ecosystems. Fire helps reduce fuels on the forest floor, which can help lower the chances of a wildfire. It helps recycle nutrients, making them more available to the growing […]

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is an invasive woodboring pest found in Charleston County in May 2020. ALB primarily attacks maples (especially red maple), elms, willows, birches, and several other tree species. Adults are large (up to 1 ½” long) black beetles with white spots, black and white striped antennae, and bluish feet. ALB signs […]

The emerald ash borer (EAB) was first detected in South Carolina in August 2017. This invasive species is now present throughout Eastern North America and has been found in six Upstate counties (Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and York). EAB attacks all species of ash trees (Fraxinus species) and feeding by their larvae will often […]

The Asian longhorned beetle has been found near Hollywood, SC. This invasive tree pest primarily attacks maples (especially red maple) but also elms, willows, birches, and several other tree species. Clemson Regulatory Services, Clemson Extension, and USDA APHIS need your help in detecting this beetle, which is currently found only in Charleston County. Adults are […]