WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Stuck in meetings for two days in Suffern, Rockland County for the New York State Arborists Winter Conference. Two of the meetings spoke about the looming threat–now in PA–from spotted lantern fly. This pretty insect sucks the sap right out of trees and creates sappy exudate over foliage or anything beneath it. The problem is, it seems to attack everything: maple, black walnut, apple, grape, hops, etc. It seems to be most attracted to Tree of Heaven or Ailanthus, a tree it shares origin with back in Asia. The little bug is also a great “hitch-hiker” on vehicles or anything shiny. Let’s hope it takes an optimistic turn.
May the forest be with you,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association