Thousand Cankers Thousand Cankers Disease in PennsylvaniaDisease in PennsylvaniaWhat We Know. Where We Are Going.

What is Thousand Cankers Disease?What is Thousand Cankers Disease?

A Juglans (sp.) tree disease caused by the combined activities of the Walnut Twig Beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis and the fungus Geosmithia morbida.

When you find, Walnut Twig Beetle (WTB) you find the fungus.

The fungus grows and forms cankers each time the WTB pierce the tree.

Cankers coalesce and girdle the tree.Tree will begin to show signs of flagging and dieback.Death may ensue within 8-10 years of introduction of

TCD.

Walnut Twig BeetleWalnut Twig Beetle

Walnut Twig BeetleWalnut Twig BeetleUSFS confirms WTB found in

Bucks County are genetically linked to WTB in Chico, California.

Photo by Donna Brandt, MO

Geosmithia morbidaGeosmithia morbida

As the larvae develops, G. morbidais found growing withthe larvae.

Black WalnutBlack WalnutHigher value than other hardwoodsVeneer, furniture, oils, gunstocksValuable for international marketsPrized by artisan woodworkersLess than 1% PA hardwoodsNebraska and Missouri plantation

plantings for retirementHuman/Wildlife food source

Cooperative EffortCooperative EffortScott Guiser, Bucks County, Extension

Educator visited the property owner, recommended a sample

Sara May, NPDN – Penn State University diagnosed Geosmithia morbida, Greg Hoover – Penn State University identified Walnut Twig Beetle

Sara May notified Coanne O’Hern, USDA and Dana Rhodes, PDA of Thousand Cankers Disease

PDA confirmed TCD and placed quarantine on Bucks County

Property of TCD Find10 Trees Identified with TCD

Initially

Property of TCD FindProperty of TCD FindProperty Owner is an Artisan Woodworker. Black Walnut is thewood of choice. Including shipments of Walnut from CA.The Live Edge is very important to Artisan Woodworkers.

Property of TCD FindProperty of TCD Find

Property owner is an Arboristand brings downed trees to Bucks county property.

Property of TCD FindProperty of TCD Find

Property owner is a Firewood Distributor.Walnut was included in the mix.

Counties Known To Have Counties Known To Have TCDTCD

Bucks CountyBucks County Large Mulch producing facilities. Many mulch facilities have suppliers sign statements

saying “Walnut Excluded”. This was a decision of the mulch producers.

Burn ban in many townships. Townships with bans arranged sites for township property owners to have burnings for Walnut debris.

Much debris after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee Many Walnut and Ash trees throughout the county.

◦ Emerald Ash Borer identified April, 2012 Contacts for Compliance Agreements initiated by PDA.

Mulch Facilities Signed

Firewood Producers Signed

Sawmill Signed

Why a QuarantineWhy a QuarantineSlow the spread of TCDAllows management of regulatory

articles to move after mitigation complete

Surveys to determine how dispersal of pests

Assists in continuation of trade

Internal and External Internal and External QuarantineQuarantine

Compliance RequirementsCompliance RequirementsMulch temperature requirements

160 degrees at 18 inches instead of 140 degrees required for EAB

All Firewood is considered Regulated Article unless heat treated and certified.

No “Green” Walnut may move out of quarantine area.

Tree Removal February Tree Removal February 20122012

Sampling Prior to Tree Sampling Prior to Tree Removal February 2012Removal February 2012

2012 Surveys Conducted2012 Surveys Conducted

Survey 2013Survey 2013

Survey Results for 2012 & Survey Results for 2012 & 20132013

SamplingSamplingWTB are active at 40 degrees or higher and

can chew through plastic baggies.Freezing samples for 24-48 hours not adequateWTB samples should be placed in alcohol. Samples to ID Geosmithia should be in a hard

container with ice packs in a sealed cooler Identify the tree sampled.PDA must have an official sample to implement

quarantine.PDA requires a positive identification of both

WTB and Geosmithia to implement quarantine. If not sure, contact Sven or Dana at PDA

SamplingSampling

RegulatoryRegulatoryQuarantine

◦Individual◦Community◦County◦State◦Interstate◦International

ConclusionsConclusionsCooperation allowed for quick

response to threat of TCDSurvey efforts have maintained

trade with most statesGood working relationship with

property owner, extension, university, state and federal partners

Better understanding of industry and regulatory relationships

Additional Sources for Information

http://pda.state.pa.us/ThousandCankersDisease

Website includes Quarantine Order, explanation of quarantine, compliance agreement stipulations, color photos, fact sheets.

PA INVASIVE SPECIES HOTLINE: 1-866-253-7189

ContactContactDana Rhodes

Plant Inspection Program Specialistdanrhodes@pa.gov

717-772-5205