When it comes to firewood, go local

With camping season in full swing, this is an important reminder to avoid transporting firewood to or from camping sites. Using local firewood sources is an important way that you can prevent the spread of introduced pests, from plant diseases to boring insects such as the Asian longhorned beetle or the emerald ash borer. Research has shown that more than 75% of the infestations of emerald ash borer in the Midwest were caused by the transporting of firewood. Read more about the reasoning behind using local firewood sources in this article in The Jamestown Press, or on this page from the Maine Forest Service.

Learn about Sudden Oak Death

Since Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum, also known as Ramorum Blight) was first seen in California back in 1995, the wide host range of this pathogen has had the nursery industry on high alert. Now Oregon State University has put together an online training course aimed at teaching nursery growers about P. ramorum and other disease-causing pathogens in the genus Phytophthora. The course is free and non-credit, but for an optional $100 fee you can take an online exam to receive a Certificate of Mastery. It is offered in three modules, with the third section entirely devoted to P. ramorum. Read more about the course here, or jump right in to the training.

Pest Alert: Gladiolus Rust

On March 10, 2008, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services identified a suspected infection of gladiolus rust (Uromyces transversalis) on the leaves of gladiolus plants at a cut flower production farm in Hendry County, Florida.

Gladiolus rust primarily attacks hybrid cultivars of gladiolus grown for cut flower production, and if uncontrolled, can lead to total yield losses. This disease could have a significant impact if it becomes established or is transported into greenhouses or nurseries that grow gladiolus or related species. It is a plant disease of quarantine importance in the United States and Europe.

Read more about gladiolus rust in the full pest alert.