lars continue their seemingly

lars continue their seemingly relentless movement south.

The maps produced from the aerial photography and surveys are used by the Department of Forestry and AIPM in planning next year’s suppression program, Mr. Gamer explained. The aerial photography is more precise, he said, but is more expensive and bad weather interferes with the results.

Forestry department officials continue to caution landowners about making hasty decisions about the future of their timber stands based on the first Gypsy moth outbreaks. “The effects are highly variable,” the State Forester said.

Trees that are old, weakened by drought, storm damage, abuse or competition for space may die after only one defoliation.

Healthy trees often survive even repeated defoliations. And some trees are not succeptible to the caterpillars at all; species including poplar, ash, walnut, catalpa, sycamore and cedar are particularly resistant.

“We are very concerned about what the Gypsy moth will do to our forests,” Mr. Gamer said, “but people should not overrreact. Woodland owners should always consult a professional forester before deciding to cut or spray their trees.”

Evaluations of infested areas conducted by the Department of Forestry have shown that heavy tree mortality due to Gypsy moths is almost always localized. Although some individual landowners have lost much of their timber, generally the damage has not been severe.

“With proper management, our forests will remain the m^or source of economic and environmental wellbeing they have always been,” Mr. Gamer said.

For more information about consultations and recommendations about control measures against Gypsy moths, or about timber managment, contact Forest Warden Tippy Jenkins (987-8837) or Area Forester Buck Kline at the Department’s Madison office, (703) 9485341. '

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