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Woodlot Health Issues
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Giant Hogweed ... ALERT
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As you explore our woodlot, please be on the lookout for this nasty non-native invasive plant. The most likely location would be along the stream and in wet areas. Although its presence has not been detected within our boundaries, there have been scattered reports of it across Southern Ontario. If you should detect one on or near our property, please let us know its location A.S.A.P.
Giant Hogweed is an invasive, non-native plant that poses a serious threat to human health and natural ecosystems.
Health Risk:
The clear sap found in the hairs, leaves and stem of the Giant Hogweed plant contains compounds that cause photodermatitis (symptoms can range from redness and itching to painful blistering). Contact with the eyes can cause temporary or even permanent blindness in some cases.
If you are exposed to Giant Hogweed:
* Wash the affected area thoroughly
* Avoid exposure to sunlight
* Seek medical attention
Key Identifying Features:
Height: 1 to 5.5 meters
Leaves: large, deeply cut with sharp coarse teeth, reaching widths in excess of 1 meter.
Stems: hollow, ridged with red-purple splotching and coarse white hairs, with a diameter of 4-10 cm at its base.
Flowers: white, compound umbel (80 or more cm across) made up of 4 to 12 smaller (14 - 40 cm) flat, round units.
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 Credits: Town of Markham
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This is a nasty plant with much more serious medical consequences than poison ivy. Do NOT touch it! If you think that you have found a specimen, note carefully its location and then report immediately.
Click for more information:
Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Ontario Weeds
MDA/USDA Brochure on Giant Hogweed.
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Bitternut Hickory
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Egg and larval
galleries under bark |
The Bitternut Hickory population in the woodlot is currently experiencing a major attack from the Hickory Bark Beetle. The result to date has been the deaths of a significant quantity of specimens with many more now in distress. During the spring of 2006, approximately 50 trees were removed. 2007 & 2008 saw even greater numbers cut down. This culling is expected to continue for the next few years. Before it is all over, we expect to lose about 90% of the Bitternut Hickory in the woodlot. Although somewhat disappointing to the association, this is all part of the nature's way. The Bark Beetle is a native species and these infestation cycles appear from time to time. At the moment, a large portion of Bitternut Hickory trees in Southern Ontario are threatened. But all is not bleak. In times of severe stress, the tree is known to react by sending up new growth from the stump — with each generation being more hardy than the previous. We can now watch to see if that will be the case this time. In the meantime, we have a supply of very high quality firewood.
More information: 
From Ontario MNR (2 pages — 2296 kbytes)
From Bugwood Network
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Emerald Ash Borer The Emerald Ash Borer is a significant threat to the ash tree population in our area. Major infestations exist in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Essex & Kent Counties. It is constantly spreading and will probably impact our ash trees. The origin of the pest appears to be shipping materials from Asia. To date, control is mainly to destroy all ash trees in the infected area and a firewood quarantine. Trees can be protected using an intense chemical application program — not a particularly feasible option. Evidence of an infestation include significant woodpecker damage, a dying crown and "D" holes in the bark.
Although there is no evidence of the species currently being present in the woodlot, monitoring is taking place.
More Information from: Ontario MNR Michigan State University Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard poses a severe threat to native plants and animals in forest communities in much of the eastern & midwestern U.S. as well as Southern Ontario. Many native widlflowers that complete their life cycles in the springtime occur in the same habitat as garlic mustard. Once introduced to an area, garlic mustard outcompetes native plants by aggressively monopolizing light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space. Wildlife species that depend on these early plants for their foliage, pollen, nectar, fruits, seeds and roots, are deprived of these essential food sources when garlic mustard replaces them.
The association has been active in an attempt to control this invading species in recent years. It is an ongoing effort requiring considerable manpower and persistence. The control program is having success but must continue for some years to come.
More Information: From Lake Huron Centre For Coastal Preservation
From Cornell University
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Asian Long-Horned Beetle
 The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a potentially serious threat to some of North America's most beautiful and popular trees. It is native to China and believed to have arrived in packing crates. Infestations have been identified in New York, Chicago and Toronto. In all cases of infestation, the affected trees are cut down and the wood destroyed. The primary victim to date has been the maple — but also willow, horsechestnut, poplar and elm. At the moment it is not an imminent threat to the woodlot — but the situation is being monitored.
More information: From Ontario MNR
From Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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Common Buckthorn
 The Common Buckthorn (Rhammus cathartica), an exotic invasive species, was brought to America in the mid-1800's as hedging material. With no natural controls, it tended to develop dense thickets thus crowding out native species and preventing seed germination and growth of native trees and shrubs. Buckthorn also leafs out early and retain its leaves late in the growing season — seriously impacting other vegitation. It is also known to harbour Crown Rust — a problem for oat growers. The seeds are attractive to birds and thus accounts for the extensive spreading of the shrub.
A related shrub, the Glossy Buckthorn, is also an exotic invasive species causing similar concerns. There are, however, several native buckthorns that exist and are used in the landscaping industry but do not have the invasive characteristics. We are experiencing perimeter concerns with Buckthorn and are assessing if or how we will respond. Effective control is through herbicide use and/or physical removal, but residual seeds and roots will quickly regenerate the area if control efforts do not continue.
More information:
Buckthorn Fact Sheet — Minnesota Department of Agriculture (4 pages — 159 kbytes)
Weed Of The Week — USDA Forest Service (1 page — 157 kbytes)
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