Current Forest Health Threats

The current issues in forest health of the greatest concern to the DCR’s Forest Health Program include both introduced and native insects and diseases. Some pests are of statewide concern while others are present in specific geographic areas

Current Threats to Massachusetts Forests

Agent	Picture	Origin	Host Trees	Present	DCR-Management Approach
Beech Leaf Disease		Introduced 2012 in USA, 2020 in Massachusetts	American Beech, European Beech, and Oriental Beech	Statewide	The DCR Forest Health Program is surveying beech trees across the state to determine the extent of the disease in Massachusetts
Spongy Moth Lymantria dispar		Introduced 1869	Oaks, other deciduous species	Statewide	Current management approach relies on natural population controls – naturally abundant virus and fungus populations regulate spongy moth population cycles
Winter Moth Operophtera brumata		Introduced 2002	Maples, oaks, other deciduous species	Eastern Mass	Biocontrol species, Cyzenis albicans, has been released and successfully established in an effort to manage winter moth populations.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Adelges tsugae		Introduced 1989	Eastern hemlock	Statewide	Three biocontrol species, Psedudoscymnus tsugae, Laricobius nigrinus, and Leucotaraxis spp (silverfly), have been released in MA to limit establishment success.
Southern Pine Beetle Dendroctonus frontalis		Native	Pitch pine	Statewide	Population densities are being monitored through annual trapping. The impacts of climate change could significantly alter southern pine beetle generation periods and devastate pitch pine stands.
Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis		Introduced 2012	All ash species	Statewide	Three biocontrol species, Tetrastichus planipennisi, Spathius galinae, and Oobius agrili, have successfully been released in MA. Continued releases are planned.
Black Oak Gall Wasp Zapatella davisae		Native	Black oak	Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard	There is ongoing research to map and monitor the extent of damage caused by the black oak gall wasp.
White Pine Needlecast		Native	Eastern white pines	Statewide	White pine defoliation is being monitored across the state. Needlecast has been identified to be caused by multiple fungal pathogens; the most prevalent agent in Massachusetts is Lecanosticta acicola.
Asian Longhorned Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis		Introduced 1996	12 Host genus	Worcester, Boylston, West Boylston, Shrewsbury, Holden, Auburn	The eradication program established quarantines to avoid transporting infested wood outside the area.  Survey every host tree in quarantine areas for ALB signs.  Remove infested trees and destroy them by chipping. DCR works in cooperation with USDA PPQ APHIS.