Forest Health

Every woodland property counts, and the cumulative decisions taken by the150,000 other private landowners will determine the future productivity, health, and biodiversity of Maryland’s forests in the face of a changing climate.

Winter Creeper arrived in the U.S. in 1907 and has since spread throughout much of the eastern states. This vigorous evergreen perennial vine can grow in a variety of conditions, can grow into shrub thickets up to 3 feet high, and may climb into trees more than 60 feet above the ground.

Tree-of-heaven has been receiving a significant amount of attention lately, and not just because it is a fast-spreading invader of woodlands throughout the mid-Atlantic states and beyond. the recent discovery of a new invasive insect in Pennsylvania, and its subsequent spread into adjoining areas, has lent new voice to advocates for the plant’s removal. Spotted Lanternfly, a recent arrival from Asia prefers tree-of-heaven as its host. This has led to an increased movement to remove tree-of-heaven from the landscape.

In this issue: Read about a few changes taking place, in the newsletter and more. Register now for the Spring session of our "The Woods in Your Backyard" online course, and learn about upcoming webinars. Our new feature, "Native Trees of Maryland," looks at the state tree: the white oak.  "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at wineberry. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.

Back issues of the Branching Out newsletter can be found on this page.

In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: New timber tax tips for the 2023 tax year from the USDA; Maryland marks a milestone on its way to planting five million trees by 2031, and an Anne Arundel County project that was part of it; and a look inside a prescribed burn in the Frederick Watershed.

The white oak is a remarkable tree species. The tree is truly an impressive specimen where older examples are found growing in the open landscape. It is no wonder that this species of oak is Maryland’s state tree.

A team of forest ecologists and social scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, using a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will conduct research aimed at helping owners of small- to medium-sized forest tracts manage their woodlands for ecosystem services.

The wineberry is non-native and invasive. This Asian native was imported to the United States in 1890 by berry growers. They wanted to use it as breeding stock with native raspberries, but it escaped from cultivation and was first observed in natural areas in the 1970s.

The white mulberry reached our shores during the colonial period. This invasive plant is found in every Maryland county.