Woods story: D-day for buckthorn!

By John Peterson, Delano, MN

John & Mary with buckthorn brushpile

We have a 140 acre farm East of Delano with about 30 acres of a somewhat fragmented “Big Woods.” Last fall was the big start of removing the Buckthorn from our woods. We cut and treated the stumps of all the large trees and all female trees with seeds. This work was done in October and November when it is really easy to spot because it is virtually the only living thing in the woods with green leaves. We spent the winter burning huge piles of Buckthorn in nearby fields.

Common buckthorn leaves

This happy story did have a slow start and here lies the point, don’t wait. If it is at all possible you have some, start your process of education of identification and removal now. We had heard about Buckthorn about 5 years ago, but did not investigate and made an assumption that we did not have this in our beautiful woods. We learned from a friend of ours that we have some of it and then began, what I call a casual removal process..

My wife, Mary, and I became involved with the Woodland Advisor program early in 2008. We attended a landowner’s seminar last fall that included a field trip to Purgatory Park in Minnetonka. This program included two DNR Foresters and other subject matter experts. This was our wake-up call to the serious nature of Buckthorn and we scoured every inch of our woods and even an area we call, “No mans land.” We found we had a BIG problem.

A trailer full of cut buckthorn!

After 100 or more hours of hard work last fall, the most pristine parts of our woods are now mostly cleared. This spring we are hand digging small plants with a shovel now as it is the wrong time of year to treat stumps. We planted native shrubs such as Serviceberry, Red Osier Dogwood, and Hazelnut this spring to replace the Buckthorn.

Our goal is the total removal of this nasty plant. If you have Buckthorn, this advice might help:

1. Learn how to identify and remove.
2. Find pleasure in the process.
3. Replace with native shrubs and trees.
4. Keep a weather-eye for what you missed and new growth.

Learn more about buckthorn identification and control from the Minnesota DNR – Division of Forestry or the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Thank you John for contributing the story and photos!  We’re always looking for woodland owners’ stories on MyMinnesotaWoods. Send your ideas to Philip Potyondy anytime.

New Emerald Ash Borer training: April 28, Winona

From Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension entomologist

With the recent discovery of an emerald ash borer infestation south of La Crosse, WI, there is an additional emerald ash borer First Detector workshop being organized.  It will be held on Tuesday April 28 in Winona at the Tau Center on the Winona State University campus.

What is an EAB First Detector?
First Detectors are volunteers trained to help citizens diagnose and report possible infestations of invasive species to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. First Detectors are a part of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) First Detector Program.

How to get involved:
Find details and registration on the April 2009 Winona workshop at http://www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides/2009/eab/.  Please pass this information on to anyone that you think may be interested.  Please let me know if you have any questions about this workshop.

Jeffrey Hahn
1980 Folwell Ave.    612-624-4977
Dept. of Entomology  612-625-5299 fax
Univ. of Minnesota   hahnx002@umn.edu
St. Paul, MN 55108

EAB discovered in Wisconsin, a mile from Minnesota

The following information was sent out by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) on April 7.  We’re developing information to help Minnesota woodland owners plan for the expected widespread ash mortality. Meantime, see the many links below and post your thoughts here or on the discussion board.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been discovered in Victory, Wisconsin. Victory is approximately 1 mile south of the Minnesota border along the Mississippi River.

This discovery was made only last week and confirmation was made on Monday, April 6. The Wisconsin Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources have released the news of this find today, April 7. Although Wisconsin has not had much opportunity to evaluate the scale of this infestation, their initial assessment was that this was a significant infestation.

Due to the proximity of this infestation to Minnesota and Iowa, it is possible that the infestation extends into one or both states. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, along with our partners at the Department of Natural Resources, USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine and USDA Forest Service are already investigating the southeastern portion of Houston County to determine if the infestation extends into Minnesota. We expect these initial surveys to last up to four weeks. If emerald ash borer is found in Minnesota, we will activate our EAB Response Plan (PDF).

Whether or not this initial round of survey discovers EAB in Minnesota, we will be intensifying survey and outreach efforts in southeastern Minnesota during 2009.

The complete press release that is being issued in Minnesota is here. Some key points to remember about the situation are:

1. EAB has not yet been found in Minnesota, but state and federal authorities are investigating the area.
2. No quarantines have been established in Minnesota. A federal quarantine will be imposed in Wisconsin on the infested area.
3. At this time we are asking the public to voluntarily not move ash wood out of Houston County. A quarantine could be placed on Houston County by Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the coming weeks.
4. For Minnesota beyond Houston County the situation has not changed. People should be vigilant as to the condition of their trees and report suspected infestations to MDA. Movement of untreated firewood over long distances should be avoided in any part of the state.

If you have questions, please direct them to MDA’s Arrest the Pest hotline.

“Arrest the Pest” Hotline:  651-201-6684 – Metro Area or 1-888-545-6684 – Greater Minnesota. Or email Arrest.The.Pest@state.mn.us.

Watch MDA’s new 6-minute video on EAB:

More about Emerald Ash Borer:

• New: Get involved!  EAB first detector training: Winona, MN April 28, 2009.
• EAB and the future of the Minnesota woods
• EAB prevention, detection, and rapid response
• Emeraldashborer.info
• EAB: Invader at our doorsteps. 6-minute video by MDA.
  
• Do I have Emerald Ash Borer? (PDF)
• Ash Tree ID (PDF)
• Native borers & look-alikes (PDF)
• EAB Signs & Symptoms (PDF)
• A Reference for Recognizing Insect Galleries in EAB Detection Trees in Minnesota (PDF: 3MB)
• Link to an August 2008 video news release about EAB

MDNR’s March 2009 Forest Insect & Disease Newsletter

Passing along an announcement from the Minnesota DNR, Division of Forestry:

Greetings from MN DNR Forest Health! The March 2009 issue of the Forest Insect & Disease Newsletter, focusing on invasive species, is now available at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/fid/fid_march09.pdf

Highlights include:
Firewood Restriction Law
Emerald ash borer: FAQ
Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness Plan
in development
Gypsy moth treatments planned
Sirex woodwasp update
Annosus root disease
Oak wilt: Suppression Program
Diplodia levels in nursery stock continues to decrease
Feature article: Invasive species management on DNR-administered lands

If you requested a paper copy, watch for it in the mail soon.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Forest Insect & Disease newsletter.

New invasive species info from MNDNR

[It's been a busy morning!  I just received this notice from Sue Burks at MN DNR. -ed.]

Just to let you know we have posted several pieces on the web for your reference.

1. The Division Invasive Species guidelines are listed on the Forest Health page.

2. You’ll also find there the SFI Minnesota Invaders brochure, a nice general publication for your clients.

3. On the right of the Forest Health page, you can also find a link to logger information.  It brings you to the timber brochure on invasive species.

You can print the complete brochure by clicking “complete brochure” on the bottom of the picture to the right.  On the brochure, are links back to the Invasive Species guidelines and to my email if you have any questions.

4. Note that on the Forest Health page, you can find information on some exotic insects and diseases and on the Division of Ecological Resources website you can find info on exotic plants.

5. One other reference not on our website, but elsewhere is a publication put out by IATP on invasive plants in Minnesota.

Happy reading.

Susan Burks
MNDNR Forestry Invasive Spp Prog Coord

Woodland invasive species in Minnesota

Some of the most common invasive species in Minnesota’s woods include buckthorn, garlic mustard, Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer. Others that might not come to mind could be earthworms or Gypsy moths. All of these species are non-native and are causing significant damage in Minnesota’s forests. You can find identification guides to common invasive species at the DNR invasive species index.