Sources for More Information

Bulletin #44: What Ails Your Tree?

There is plenty of help available to anyone interested in identifying, monitoring and controlling insect and disease pests that are impacting urban trees.

Here are two “must have” books for anyone seriously interested in identifying tree pests. Both are nationwide in coverage, highly illustrated and over 500 pages in length. They are published by Comstock Publishing Associates, a division of Cornell University Press. These books are particularly valuable for identifying and learning the life cycles of the pests and tree species associated with each pest. These books do not include control suggestions. For the latter, local sources such as your county extension agent or a reputable arborist are the best places to start.

• Insects that Feed on Trees and Shrubs by Warren T. Johnson and Howard H. Lyon.
• Diseases of Trees and Shrubs by Wayne A. Sinclair, Howard H. Lyon and Warren T. Johnson.

Three others that have been long-time favorites with arborists and provide self-help information useful to nonprofessionals:

• Pirone’s Tree Maintenance by John R. Hartman, Thomas P. Pirone and Mary Ann Sall.
• Diseases of Shade Trees by Terry A. Tatter.
• Plant Health Care for Woody Ornamentals edited by John Lloyd.

Note: The above publication includes addresses of public universities that offer pest diagnostic services. This book is available from the International Society of Arboriculutre.

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Other Publications

There are many leaflets and booklets available on every insect and disease, usually published by Cooperative Extension or other government agencies. For example, “Pest Alerts” are single-page leaflets covering the major pests currently threatening America’s trees. These are published by the U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. The annual report by USDA Forest Health Protection scientists is:

Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States

Copies are available online or from:

U.S. Forest Service–Forest Health Protection

1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Stop Code 1110 Washington, DC 20250-1110

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Some Excellent Web Links

• Emerald Ash Borer information
  Click on “Insecticide Options” to find the names of insecticides used to control EAB.
• Asian Longhorned Beetle information
  This is a good source for numerous publications on this invasive insect.
• APHIS Fact Sheet
  Another of the many sites about ALB, including control information.
• Forest Health Protection
  This is a good site for a variety of information about forest pests and actions against them.
• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid information
• California Oak Mortality Task Force
  This is a good starting point for information about Sudden Oak Death.
• Thousand Cankers Disease information
  An overview is available from a collaborative website created to help stop the spread of this disease.

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Visit the Arbor Day Foundation Tree Health Guide

An online Tree Health Guide has been developed to help you find immediate access to a network of professional arborists, foresters, and Cooperative Extension agents to provide effective best management practices for insect problems and plant diseases.