Forest Health

The Norway Maple is so conspicuous throughout the United States that it is often easy to forget that it is an introduced species that can adversely affect the environment.

Wavyleaf basketgrass was first identified in the United States in Baltimore County, MD in 1996. It is less well-known than other invasives, but it is spreading rapidly in Maryland and Virginia.

Back issues of the Branching Out newsletter can be found on this page.

In this issue: With warmer weather comes a reminder to stay vigilant about woodland threats, and a look at the importance of pollen. There's an assessment of ghost forests in the region, plus a roundup of news you might have missed. Read about the pawpaw in our "Native Trees of Maryland" feature and about glossy buckthorn in our "Invasives in Your Woodland" feature. And more!

Your woodlands are important. They are a valuable resource for your family’s enjoyment and their future, and for the environment. The University of Maryland Extension now participates in the “Call Before You Cut” program. The program provides Maryland woodland owners with free information to ensure that they harvest their timber in the most efficient, cost-effective, and ecologically-sound manner possible.

Enjoy the warm weather, but continue to stay on the lookout for woodland threats.

Clusters of tree trunks, stripped clean of bark, are appearing along the Chesapeake Bay on the United States’ mid-Atlantic coast. They are ghost forests: the haunting remains of what were once stands of cedar and pine.

In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: A new book from Doug Tallamy provides 400+ answers to the question, "How can I help?"; the Virginia DOF announces a cost-share program to help protect against emerald ash borer; a University of Maryland team tests a drone system to detect and combat wildfires; and the MD Department of Transportation announced state funding to support tree plantings in 12 communities.

Pawpaws, prized for their tasty fruits, produce the largest native fruit in North America. Their fruits contain high levels of essential amino acids. This small understory tree (10-40’ tall), might be a fun and fitting option for your backyard woods.

Glossy Buckthorn is now found in 29 states and several Canadian provinces from Nova Scotia to Idaho and from Québec to Tennessee. Currently, it is reported in five Maryland counties, but given that it is observed as far west as Garrett Co. and as far east as Worcester Co., it may exist elsewhere.