Forest Health

Read about our upcoming online courses for the fall and about this year's Maryland-Delaware Master Logger. There's also the News and Notes summary about stories you might have missed, as well as our regular features the Woodland Wildlife Spotlight, Invasives in Your Woodland, and the Brain Tickler challenge. 

The News and Notes roundup for this issue features advice about dealing with the spongy moth, ways to help keep your property accessible during wildfires, a timeline about wood heating technology, and how you can get your green industry business listed with the Woodland Stewardship Education program's online directory.

In this issue, we look at plumeless thistle, also known as "spiny plumeless thistle." Its presence in Maryland might be more widespread than some reports suggest.

Are you a small-acreage property owner who wants to learn how to care for or how to expand existing woodlands, or how to convert lawn space to woodlands? The join us for our self-directed, non-credit online course. It runs for ten weeks, from September 6 to November 15.

August is a good time to assess the future of your woodlands, including the presence of invasive plants and insects, access to prevent or fight wildfires, and to learn more about them through our online courses.

Learn to be a steward of the land this fall with the University of Maryland Extension General Forestry Course. This online course will be offered beginning Sept.1 through Dec. 15, 2022.

Webinars on a variety of topics related to woodland health and wildlife in Maryland.

Porcelain-berry is a deciduous, climbing, woody vine introduced from northeast Asia in the 1870s. It became popular for its tolerance of adverse conditions and its ability to provide ground cover. However, it is an aggressive plant that invades damp, shady areas such as streambanks, forest edges, pond margins, and disturbed areas, and forms dense mats that crowds out native vegetation.

Resources for information about common invasive trees and shrubs in Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region.

Lesser celandine can be an ecological threat. It was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s. Although its sale was banned in Maryland in 2017, it may still be available for sale in other states.