Illinois forests have many recreation and wildlife benefits. In addition, over 37,000 people are employed in primary and secondary wood processing and manufacturing. The net volume of growing stock has increased by 40 percent since 1962, a reversal of the trend from 1948 to 1962. The volume of elms has continued to decrease due to Dutch elm disease, but red and white oaks, along with black walnut, have increased by 38 to 54 percent since 1962.
This 20 minute video can be purchased by sending a $25 check payable to the University of Illinois to: Agricultural Publications, 67 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory, Urbana, IL 61801, and request oak wilt OACE #015, or phone Cyndi Moore at 217-333-2007, or FAX 217-344-7503.
White pine decline, caused by the fungus Leptographium procerum, has been a concern of Christmas tree growers for the past 10 years. Trees may appear to be healthy for 10 years and then during one year there is a noticeable reduction in length of the new growth. Usually the following year, there is little new growth, the needles turn a light green and about one month later the tree is dead. In a few instances, pinewood nematodes have been found in the branch wood, but most samples are negative for the nematode. Ips beetles rapidly invade the tree when symptoms of light green needles are observed.
The Shawnee National Forest sustained an outbreak of the forest tent caterpillar in the Oakwood Bottoms in 1997. More than 2,200 acres of forest had at least 50% defoliation. Egg mass surveys conducted in late summer of 1997, indicated the defoliation in 1998 would not be significant. This prediction was accurate as of the 1998 defoliation was very sparse.During the summer of 1998 a significant infestation of the Asian longhorned beetle was discovered in the Ravenswood area of Chicago. Norway and silver maple trees were heavily infested. Infestations were also found in boxelder, elm, and horsechestnut trees. A few trees were found infested in Addison and Summit, Illinois. The USDA APHIS PPQ and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have established a plant quarantine in the infested areas. These agencies in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service have conducted extensive tree surveys in the Chicago and surrounding areas in searching for infestations. By early March of 1998, the Chicago Bureau of Forestry, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Streets and Sanitation have cooperated in removing and disposing of all infested trees. With the cooperation of federal and state agencies it is hoped that with continued surveillance this beetle can be eradicated from the state.
A colored leaflet showing the various life stages of the beetle can be obtained by writing to: Univ. of Illinois, NRES Dept., 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 and requesting beetle leaflet no. 100In.
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|Updated: December 1998.......|
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