April 23, 2024
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 […]
July 12, 2023
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 […]
March 27, 2023
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 […]
December 13, 2021
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 […]
August 24, 2021
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 […]
August 24, 2021
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 […]
August 20, 2021
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 […]
August 20, 2021
Decline is a generic term used when tree health is getting worse and trees are dying. It is an unfortunate term in that it tells us very little – yes, trees are looking poor, and yes, some are dying. But why? That’s the important question we need answered so we can properly manage the stand. […]
July 8, 2021
Large, showy, purple wisteria flowers are covering trees along roadsides this time of year. While they are pretty, most of what you are seeing is also invasive. Several wisteria species live in South Carolina. American (Wisteria frutescens) and Kentucky wisteria (W. macrostachya) are native species. They are not all that aggressive in terms of their […]
June 24, 2021
This article was initially featured in the November/December 2019 issue of Forest Landowner magazine. Click here for a printable pfd Roundup® causes cancer! Join the class action lawsuit! If you’ve seen the news lately, you might think that glyphosate, the commonly used active ingredient in many herbicide formulations (including Roundup®) is a cancer-causing agent. Heck, […]
