New Resources Available on Identifying and Controlling Tree-of-Heaven

With recent efforts to combat the threat of spotted lanternfly Penn State Extension has released two useful resources to help with the identification and control of tree-of-heaven, commonly referred to as Ailanthus. Tree-of-heaven is a rapidly growing, deciduous tree native to Asia. It was first introduced into the U.S. in the late 1700s. Initially, the tree was valued as an urban street tree and was widely planted in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas. From there, tree-of-heaven has spread and become a common invasive plant in urban, agricultural, and forested areas.

Tree-of-heaven is a preferred host of the spotted lanternfly (SLF), an invasive sap-feeding insect first discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014. A quarantine is in place for 13 SE Pennsylvania counties to stop the movement of this pest to new areas and to slow its spread within the quarantine. SLF adults are controlled using a combination of tree-of-heaven host tree reduction and the establishment of tree-of-heaven “trap” trees treated with a systemic insecticide.

These resources will help you properly identify and control tree-of-heaven. They will also assist you in distinguishing tree-of-heaven from some common native trees that look similar.

InvasiveWeeds Fact Sheet: Tree of Heaven

Learn NowVideo - Identifying Tree-of-Heaven and Some Native Look-a-Likes

Spotted Lanternfly Management for Homeowners

Penn State Study: Impacts Rare Near Shale Gas Wells

July 9, 2018

Research indicates only possible methane in groundwater in seven out of 1,385 wells in Bradford County PA.

A new study of groundwater in a rural Pennsylvania county shows only rare instances of possible gas contamination amid an overall trend of improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development.

Read more about the study at Penn State News, and past research at Science Direct.

Raising Awareness of Pennsylvania’s Woods

All of Pennsylvania’s woods bring us values that we sometimes take for granted. The trees and ground cover provide nutrients for the soil, food and homes for wildlife, clean air and water, wood products that we use in our daily lives, and peace and tranquility for us to enjoy. The woods “work” for us. We want to raise awareness about the importance of forests to our lives and the effort that goes into caring for them.

On Sunday, October 7, 2018, join countless Pennsylvanians across the state as they get out in the woods, as part of the annual Walk in Penn’s Woods. Rural, urban and suburban woods, state and national forests and parks, municipal watersheds, conserved areas, private lands and industry in the state’s 67 counties will hold open houses and guided woods walks showcasing the multiple values and diverse uses of our state’s priceless forest resources.

These Walks will feature guided walks across the state, providing entrée to land that is not always open to the public along with easy access to expert forest and wildlife professionals. A Walk in Penn’s Woods event may showcase management for wildlife or watersheds, exhibit the results of harvesting or planting, demonstrate the impacts of urban tree cover, showcase riparian buffers, offer children’s activities, or reveal the fascinating innards of a local sawmill. You’ll be able to find information about each individual walk at on the Walk in Penn's Woods website, as well as offer to host a walk. We are constantly updating this site as new host sites are offered.

Walk in Penn’s Woods is fortunate to have many statewide partners: all the venues and the resource professionals have volunteered their time and land. But we need your help to make everyone’s introduction to Penn’s Woods a huge success! For the month of July, we are crowdfunding efforts to get the word out. With your contribution, we’ll be able to advertise all the events, make all the great connections between land, mentors and visitors, and provide terrific take-home material to digest after the introductions. Visit our Crowdfunding site and help us make this happen!

Please help us get the word out. Make a contribution. Share our posts with your contact list. And save the date: Walk in Penn’s Woods is October 7, 2018. Walk in Penn’s Woods with us!

Website: www.walkinpennswoods.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkinpennswoods/

Crowdfunding: http://c-fund.us/g7f

Allyson Brownlee Muth, Ed.D.
Interim Director

The Center for Private Forests at Penn State
333 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA  16802