Many insects and related organisms and pathogens evolved to utilize trees and forests. Some are native, some are exotic. Some are often considered pests, most are not.The impact of those considered pests varies over space and time. Below is some information that may be of use in identifying pests and understanding related management issues in northeastern Lower Michigan.

A Photographic Guide

This product of the US Forest Service should help identify forest insects one might find.

Woody Invasive Plants of the Great Lakes
This website provides an overview of woody invasive plants and some information on management.
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Invasive Plant Management and Equipment
This document addresses how to set up an invasive plant management program using the example of managing the invasive, woody shrub, glossy buckthorn. Although research presented is specific to buckthorn, the methods described can be used on a variety of woody and herbaceous invasive plants. Monitoring of treatment effectiveness is encouraged.

This video covers techniques for treating many of the invasive plants common in our area.

Pesticide Information
​This is an MDARD site on pesticides.
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Gypsy Moth in Michigan
​This site covers the biology, ecology, and management of gypsy moth, with special attention to Michigan.

Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Survey Protocols 
This document drafted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture covers protocols for gypsy moth surveys in Michigan

Natural Predators of Gypsy Moths
This document from Michigan State University Extension discusses organisms that prey upon gypsy moth.

​How to Care for Trees Affected by Gypsy Moth
This document coves how to care for individual trees in a backyard setting during gypsy moth outbreaks.

Highlighted Exotic Forest Pests

Forest pests species highlighted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Oak Wilt in the United States
This summary paper discusses oak wilt from a national perspective.

Oak Wilt Story Map for East and Midwest
​This useful document from the US Forest Service provides a more graphic perspective for the Eastern and Midwestern US. 

Oak Wilt in Michigan

This site covers the biology, ecology, and management of oak wilt, with special attention to Michigan.

​Oak Wilt Ecology and Management 
This document by Michigan State University Extension covers many aspects of the ecology and management of oak wilt in Michigan.

​​Oak Wilt Sampling in Michigan
This document covers how to sample oak stems for oak wilt in Michigan. Submission form is here. This is a related document.

Oak Wilt Management Suggestions
This document ​from the Minnesota DNR provides some guidance on managing oak wilt in a mitigation context.
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Predators of Spruce Budworm
​This US Forest Service publication covers the predators of the native defoliator, spruce budworm.

Forest Health: Utilitarian and Ecosystem Perspectives
This paper addresses a need for context when the term "forest health" is used. The Conservation District will use this as its operating philosophy:  "Forest health is a condition of forest ecosystems that sustains their complexity while providing for human needs" (Sampson et al. 1994).