Forest Health

Web Sites

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Forest Health has links to many resources about forest health, including

  • Forest Disease Management Notes, which describe various diseases that can affect native trees
  • Forest Health Highlights by state and year
  • Links to many more publications about diseases and insects in the Pacific Northwest

Forest Pests of North America.  Native and Non-native insects, diseases, and weeds of urban, managed, and natural forests. Website developed, maintained and hosted by The University of Georgia, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.  Contains lists by tree species and disease type, but no identification keys or photos.

Publications

Forest health highlights in Washington 2021. A summary of insect,disease, and other disturbance conditions affecting Washington’s forests. Washington Department of Natural Resources, 2022. 60 p.

Disease and Insect Damage, Chapter 8 in Forest Management for Small Landowners by Bryon Loucks. 2020. Covers only a few of the most significant diseases and insects in western Washington.

Diseases of Pacific Coast conifers, by Robert F. Scharpf.  USDA Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 521. 1993.

A field guide to the common diseases and insect pests of Oregon and Washington conifers.  USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 2006.

A field guide to forest damage in British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, and Canadian Forestry Service, Joint Publication No. 17. 2014.

Forest Insect and Disease Leaflets. A series of leaflets covering diseases and insects throughout the U.S.

Webinars

Emerald Ash Borer. April 2023, Link to recording and additional information.

Common tree diseases of western Washington forests.  Presented by Dan Omdal to Lewis County Farm Forestry Association, April 11, 2023.

Forestry Lunch Breaks - Root Diseases, February 2023

Separate sessions cover:

  • Symptoms of common root rotsw
  • Root rot signs and disease cycles
  • Root rot management
  • Lesser known root rots

Forest insects in western Washington.  Presentation by Glenn Kohler to Lewis County Farm Forestry, January 17, 2023.  Slides only (no audio) but they have explanations and you can see presenters notes by clicking on the chat box icon in the upper left corner of the slide.

Forest health in western Washington. A webinar presented by Glenn Kohler.  Sponsored by WSU Extension Forstry, October 22, 2022. 48 minutes.

Emerging diseases in western Washington. A webinar presented by Joey Hulbert. Sponsored by WSU Extension Forestry, October 22, 2022. 48 minutes.

Forest health highlights.  A webinar presented by Glenn Kohler.  Sponsored by WSU Extension Forestry, August 17, 2021. 1 hour, 7 minutes.

Forest health watch: Tracking forest health with iNaturalist. A webinar presented by Joey Hulbert, WSU Extension, May 14, 2021. 30 minutes.

Forest health in eastern Washington. A webinar presented by Melissa Fischer at the WSU Forestry Extension 2021 Forest Owners' Winter School, February 27, 2021.

Forest health in western Washington.  A webinar presented by Rachel Brooks at the WSU Forestry Extension 2021 Forest Owners' Winter School, February 27, 2021.

Field trials of the addition of potassium to Douglas-fir seedlings with associated laminated root rot.  Presented by Dick Hopkins, Hopkins Forestry, 2021. 50 minutes.  Dick also discussed other options for establishing a new plantation where Phellinus root rot is known to exist.

Why are so many conifers dying? A look at current forest and tree health issues.  Presented by Kevin Zobrist. Washington State University Extension Forestry. 2020. 1 hour, 30 minutes.

The four horsemen of the the root disease apocalypse. Presented by Kevin Zobrist. Washington State University Extension Forestry. 2020. 48 minutes.

Climate change effects on forest insects and diseases.  Presented by Glenn Kohler. 2019 Fall Forestry Seminar, sponsored by Washington Tree Farm Program. 42 minutes.