Monitoring Pathogens and Pests of Forest Trees

The University of Kentucky (Crocker) will assist the Forest Service (Dreaden, Olatinwo and others) in monitoring pests and pathogens of forest trees. Laurel wilt on sassafras and dogwood decline will be established first. Other pests and pathogens will be added as needs arise or opportunities become available. Introduction Forest trees continue to show signs of decline for multiple reasons, including native and exotic forest pest/pathogen, environmental stresses including climate change and their interaction. Monitoring of forest pests and pathogens is important to further our understanding and to identify when conditions are outside of history norms. We will establish monitoring plots and surveys for pests and pathogens of forest trees in KY and the surrounding region. To begin we will monitor laurel wilt disease on sassafras, dogwood decline and dogwood anthracnose using field surveys and monitoring plots. Other pests and pathogens can be added as opportunities or needs arias. The leads will reevaluate the pests and pathogens being monitored annual and make adjustments as issues and circumstances change.