Our Natural Resources Management team has been largely focused on managing invasive plants, like garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, and oriental bittersweet on park properties. Recently, they have had to allocate more time and resources to focus on the threat of forest pests.
While plant invasives are challenging to eradicate and control, we can rely on the seedbank to regenerate wildflowers and other plants to grow back quickly once invasives are removed. Forest pests present a different kind of challenge because they can do so much long-term damage. They are difficult to manage in our parks because they are widespread in the surrounding landscape (not shown on map).
A well-educated and responsible community who understands the need to stop these pests is crucial to fight them at a landscape level. It’s up to homeowners to educate themselves and their neighbors to follow best practices and protect their resources. Consequences of not taking action could include not only impacts on our forests, but also on our infrastructure (roads, houses, etc), should the loss of forest create dune destabilization.
Familiarize yourself with forest pests
Oak Wilt is fatal for all red oaks; it spreads quickly, and treatment is expensive. Oak wilt is spread by pruning and trimming during active months (April-October).
Use this website to determine whether you or a contractor should be pruning: michiganoakwilt.org
HWA is an insect that feeds on hemlock trees. Without treatment it is fatal to the tree. It is easily spread and difficult to spot and has devasted forests on the east coast. The good news is, early treatment is affordable and effective.
Learn more / Report HWA: saveMIhemlocks.org
Beech Bark is Ottawa County Parks’ newest forest pest. It is a disease that causes mortality and defects in beech trees; the disease occurs after extensive bark invasion by the beech scale insect. Treatment is currently unknown.
Learn more: michigan.gov/invasives