Insect and Disease

The forest tent caterpillar(Malacosoma disstria) is one of the most significant defoliating insects affecting broadleaf trees and forests across Canada. Periodic population outbreaks can result in extensive defoliation of natural aspen forest, and other hardwood trees in shelterbelts, windbreaks, urban settings and parks with noticeable impacts on tree health, aesthetics, and public perception of forest […]

The white pine weevil(Pissodes strobi) is insect pests affecting young coniferous trees in shelterbelts, windbreaks and urban settings. In Alberta, it primarily attacks the terminal leaders(current and previous year growth) of mostly white spruce as well as some pine, causing growth deformities, long-term structural weakness (development of forked tops). It can be considering nuisance pest

Wetwood slime, also known as bacterial wetwood or slime flux, is a common condition affecting a variety of trees, including elms, poplars, willows, and oaks. This disease is characterized by the exudation of a foul-smelling, slimy liquid from cracks, wounds, or branch crotches in the tree. While wetwood is not usually fatal to trees, it

The bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) is an insect that poses a significant threat to birch trees across prairie provinces. This wood-boring beetle is notorious for infesting and killing various species of birch, particularly those already weakened by environmental stress. If left unchecked, the birch borer can lead to the widespread decline of birch populations

The spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) is a bark beetle species native to North America. Host trees include mostly white spruce, but also Colorado Blue and Norway spruce. Known for its devastating impact on large boreal spruce forests, this beetle has recently gain attention due to infestation occurring in towns, summer villages, woodlots, shelterbelts, and windbreaks.

Aphids are among the most frequently and widely encountered insects on trees, shrubs, and ornamental garden plants. These small, sap-sucking insects with very high numbers for extended period of time can cause e damage to a wide range of trees, impacting their health(dieback) growth(wilting), and overall productivity. Aphids are prey for numerous beneficial insects, such

Fireblight is a destructive bacterial disease caused by the pathogen Erwinia amylovora. This bacterial disease widely affects plants in the Rosaceae family, including apples, pears, variety of cherries, chokecherry, Saskatoon berry, raspberries, black berries, hawthorn, cotoneaster, and mountain ash. Fireblight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, remains a significant threat to fruit production worldwide. Spread Overwintering bacteria

Cytospora canker on hardwoods, particularly caused by Valsa sordida, and Leucostoma sp. is a significant and destructive disease affecting various hardwood trees. Cytospora canker on hardwoods is notorious for its detrimental impact on fruit trees( Prunus species, apples, pears, cherries, peaches, and plums.), ornamental trees(maples, ash, birch, oaks, elms. Mountain ash, etc. ), and forest

Cytospora canker, also known as Leucostoma canker, is a pervasive and damaging disease, primarily caused by the fungus Cytospora kunzei. The disease is notable on spruce species, such as the Colorado blue spruce (very susceptible to Cytospora canker), Norway spruce and native white and Engelman spruce. Disease causes tree significant structural damage; reduces their effectiveness

Yellow-headed spruce sawfly (Pikonema alaskensis) is native species to Alberta. Also introduced European spruce sawfly (Gilpinia hercyniae ) is found in Prairie provinces. Sawfly attacks native white, black and Engelmann spruce trees as well as variety of non-native spruce trees( Colorado, and Norway spruce).  It can create significant damage to many young spruce trees on