Gold-spotted oak borer news

Gold-spotted oak borer was discovered in Riverside and Los Angeles counties this fall. Here is one of the news releases issued.

Invasive pest found in Riverside County: Fire and forest officials ask public’s help to stop spread66282display

Idyllwild—The goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) has been detected in a recently-killed California black oak tree in the Riverside County mountain community of Idyllwild. Larvae extracted from under the tree bark were subjected to DNA analysis at the University of California Riverside and confirmed to be Agrilus auroguttatus, the scientific name for GSOB. This new detection of GSOB represents the first long-distance movement of the beetle from its known area of infestation in San Diego County, 40 miles to the south. It is believed to have made the jump from San Diego to Idyllwild through the movement of infested firewood. The infested tree is slated for immediate removal and disposal.

The GSOB is transported in oak firewood, so it is critical that Californians keep firewood local and not move it out of the area. Here are some immediate steps to help stop the spread of GSOB:

  • Use firewood from local sources—“Buy it Where you Burn It”, check out firewoodscout.org.
  • When traveling, leave your firewood at home and don’t transport it to recreational cabins, campgrounds or parks. Buy it at your destination and leave any leftover.

“The public plays a key role in stopping the spread of the destructive GSOB,” said CAL FIRE Director and State Forester Ken Pimlott. “When choosing firewood make sure you buy it from a local source and not from out of the area. This infestation could have devastating effects on California and we all must work to stop its spread.”

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is collaborating with the University of California, the U.S. Forest Service and the County of Riverside to develop a rapid response plan for GSOB in San Jacinto forest communities. Surveys are already in progress to determine the extent of the infestation. Property owners in the Idyllwild area will be receiving additional information in the coming weeks on the GSOB and how to assess their own oak trees as well as a list of recommended contacts for questions. These infestations can be very destructive to our forests, communities, individual properties, and are extremely costly to control.

Anyone planning to purchase or burn firewood is encouraged to visit www. firewood.ca.gov to learn how help stop the spread of GSOB and other pests through the movement of firewood. For more information on GSOB visit www.gsob.org. www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_newsreleases_GSOB_ Riverside

Into the woods of Germany and Finland

Mr. Enno Uhl (researcher at TUM), Dr. Douglas Piirto (professor emeritus at Cal Poly), Tori Norville (graduate student at Cal Poly) and Jose Riofrio (PhD student at University of Valladolid, Spain): Standing in front of the Oak-Nelder trail, Ingolstadt.
Mr. Enno Uhl (researcher at TUM), Dr. Douglas Piirto (professor emeritus at Cal Poly), Tori Norville (graduate student at Cal Poly) and Jose Riofrio
(PhD student at University of Valladolid, Spain): Standing in front of the Oak-Nelder trail, Ingolstadt.

Starting in 2002, Dr. Doug Piirto, Dr. Wally Mark, Dr. Ulric Lund, David Yun, Elicia Wise, Jason Pinkerton, Valerie Loe and other scientists researched the effects of pitch canker on the Año Nuevo native Monterey pine stands that are on the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR) in Davenport, CA. This study consisted of 27 plots of varying sizes, with 18 of these plots being planted with native Monterey pine stock. The slash of nine of these treated plots was piled and burned, while the slash on the other nine plots was lopped and scattered. Nine plots were left as control and received no treatment. The goals of this study were to better understand the effects each of these treatments had on the Monterey pine seedling survival and growth, and to investigate genetic resistance to pitch canker. This project went on for about 10 years, and Dr. Doug thought the project was largely finished.

In 2013 Dr. Hans Pretzsch, Enno Uhl and other researchers from the Wiehenstephan Forestry program at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany participated in a tour of the SPR study area and were instantly intrigued by the research opportunities the area had to offer. In January of this year, a TUM student, Max von Stern, traveled to California to work with SPR staff and students to collect data within the Monterey pine plots established by Dr. Doug and others in order to further the study.

The field data collection crew consisted of Max plus Ben Han and me (Tori Norville), graduate students from Cal Poly. We helped each other gather what was needed for our respective bachelor’s and master’s thesis studies. We worked for two and a half months, measuring the height and diameter of Monterey pine trees and observing the effects of the pitch canker disease on each of the planted trees within the 18 planted Monterey pine plots. Max’s study required core samples from trees in the surrounding stand, as well as height and diameter of those trees. By the end of the process, I had collected my master’s thesis data under the direction of Dr. Doug, Dr. Sarah Bisbing and Dr. Ulrich Lund, with an offer to travel to Germany to work on my data analysis with TUM professors, scientists and staff during the fall 2015 quarter.

Illustrating the major effort taking place in Germany to encourage mixed forest development due to climate change concerns.
Illustrating the major effort taking place in Germany to encourage mixed forest development due to climate change concerns.

In October, I traveled to Freising, Germany, along with Dr. Doug and his wife Mary. My trip was funded by the BaCaTech institute, which helps pay travel and living costs for students and faculty members traveling between Bavaria, Germany and California for research collaborations such as this.

Dr. Hans Pretzsch, Enno Uhl and others from TUM hosted us and whisked us off for forest management and sightseeing tours in the Alps. We were shown the latest scientific advances in silviculture, climate change impacts on forests, forest genetics and wood density. Dr. Doug also gave a seminar presentation about silviculture and forest management in California.

The Germany field tours enabled Dr. Doug, Mary and me to:

  • Visit the town of Traunstein in the Alps. Here, TUM manages the Traunstein Municipal Forest for timber production as well as recreation, research, and wildlife using a selection forest management approach. It was learned that Germany has been trying to convert its mono-species Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands to a mixed species forest type that includes European silver fir (Abies alba), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), birch, beech and Norway spruce. Norway spruce is the dominant species in many post-World War II planted forests, because of its value as a timber species. However, the combination of climate change, bark beetles and disease has created problems with these mature stands, necessitating a more native, mixed-species approach.
  • Observe restoration of wind thrown damaged stands to a mixed forest type.
  • Visit the Nationalpark Berchtesgaden in the Alps, where we took a wonderful sightseeing boat ride on the Königssee.
  • Observe and discuss the Nelder experimental design trials of planted oak, funded by Audi Corporation. The circular-plot experimental design consisted of eighteen rings, each one decreasing in planted oak tree density, with the center ring the most densely planted.
  • Observe TUM’s long-term Douglas-fir provenance studies.
  • Observe TUM’s forest studies evaluating the effects of ozone and drought on survival and growth of spruce, beech and other native species. Measurements utilizing the latest electronic technology were occurring on the tree roots, stems, leaf litter, soil properties and much more in the treated and control plots.
  • Observe the gothic architecture of Munich, Freising, Landshut and other areas.

Dr. Doug stayed in Germany during my first week, before continuing on to Finland, where he presents guest forest management and leadership lectures at Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences each year.

I have spent the fall at TUM, working with their faculty and staff to organize the field data and start statistical analysis. Dr. Doug and I also are working with the faculty at TUM and Dr. Sauli Valkonen from the Finnish Forest Research Institute on a distance-to-edge study within the Monterey pine stand at Swanton Pacific Ranch. In January, I will return to the U.S. to complete my master’s thesis at Cal Poly.

Chapter Updates – High Sierra Chapter

September 2015 meeting, Fresno, CA. The first of the fallwinter meetings was attended by chapter members, Reedley College staff and students plus special guests from the California Board of Forestry and CAL FIRE.

Several speakers addressed the current state of affairs with the drought in our area. Matt Meadows, PG&E, gave an overview of the results from his snow surveys. The Sierra Nevada snowpack was the lowest in recorded history, affecting all the rivers. Ground water reserves also are dwindling. This has severely limited the amount of hydroelectric power generated this year. Predictions are that the region may be in for a good “El Niño” rainy season, but we will have to wait and see.

Diane Savin-Dukleth, USFS, reported on the huge Rough Fire, which burned over 151,623 acres. It was lightning caused from a small late July storm in a remote area that has some of the steepest and most rugged ground in the country. Due to the extremely dry fuel conditions and insect killed trees, the fire was so intense and unpredictable that it appeared unstoppable at times. It burned areas that normally wouldn’t carry a fire, crossing the Kings River and several roads.

Retired USFS silviculturist, Mark Smith, reviewed the results from his field work looking at restoration of Sierra National Forest areas that had large forest fires in the past. He noted that forests that were commercially thinned over five years ago have less insect-related tree mortality. The SCE managed land and the areas thinned under the Dinkey Collaborative projects also are holding their own. Smith suggests that the High Sierra Chapter host a statewide summer NorCal/SoCal SAF meeting next year to study and showcase these areas.

SCE forester and chapter chairman, Ryan Stewart, spoke about the scope of the insect killed trees on federal and private land in the Shaver Lake region. This unprecedented insect kill leaves few alternatives to land owners. The volume of merchantable sized dead trees is so immense that it is beyond the capacity of the remaining saw mills in this part of the state. He said funding may be available to help land owners remove dead material.

November 2015 meeting, Fresno, CA. The guest speaker for our November meeting was Dr. Rob York, manager of Blodgett Research Station. Rob spoke on, “High-grading and low-grading: Pitfalls in using diameter thresholds for marking.” This is a long-term study that documents significant negative effects of large tree removal (high grading) on long term productivity and species composition in a productive mixed confer forest.

FCD

Forest Conservation Days 2015 was all set to go for September 21–25, 2015, at Sequoia Lake YMCA Camp, but was cancelled due to the Rough Fire. Diane Savin-Dukleth, the main FCD coordinator, had booked over 1,200 students from the greater Fresno area to come.

We cancelled FCD for fear of exposing the students to the smoke. But, by the end it was lucky the firefighters could save the camp at all. The fire burned very close to the camp, and if conditions had been right, all could have been lost, and we would need to look for another location to house FCD.

Don Dukleth, Diane Savin-Dukleth and other High Sierra Chapter members who have been the main FCD coordinators are looking to the future, hoping to pass the torch on to new volunteers for 2016. This transition is crucial if FCD is to continue.

Roles that need to be filled: school contact/booking coordination, volunteer recruitment (station staff, school bus greeters, etc.), food management (buy and set up lunch fixings), tour guide training and supply coordinator. Don and Diane will help set a date for 2016 and will assist the new coordinators on all the details to run FCD. Please contact Diane Savin-Dukleth and/or Thomas Catchpole to help take over the planning jobs of FCD. Thanks again to all the volunteers who helped in 2014 and were prepared to help this fall. For FCD information go online to: www.norcalsaf.org/FCD.html.

Awards

Chapter member Don Dukleth is this year’s District 3 Presidential Field Forester Award recipient. Congratulations Don! Don received the award at the national Society of American Foresters (SAF) convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was selected by his peers for the award in District 3 (California, Nevada, and Hawaii). Don works for Southern California Edison Company (SCE) as a forest ecologist.

Chapter Updates – UC Berkeley Student Chapter

UC Berkeley Student Chapter members at the 2015 SAF National Convention.
UC Berkeley Student Chapter members at the 2015 SAF National Convention.

The Cal SAF Student Chapter/Forestry Club kicked off the semester with the return of a handful of our seniors from their semesters abroad and the addition of some passionate transfer students. The club reunited, and with some added global perspectives, we started on a strong foot with lots of beer and beans at our fall Bean Feed.

We then prepared for the annual Society of American Foresters National Convention. The financial boost from last year’s very successful Christmas tree sale allowed us to send 19 members to the convention in Baton Rouge. We all set off to Louisiana ready to learn about forestry in the south and to ace the Quiz Bowl. Although we did not take home the grand Quiz Bowl trophy, we did make it into the top four. And, of course, we accomplished our goal of learning about southern U.S. forestry.

We are now in the midst of the 2015 Christmas tree cut and sale, with hearts full of hope that it will not dump snow on our chosen cut date. As always, we are very grateful that Sierra Pacific Industries generously allows us to thin on their land.

Our logging sports team is at a peak enrollment, with over 20 members. We recently attended the California Conclave, where we had quite the showing. A first place prize went to member Ben Rushakoff in the nerdiest-of-nerd events, traverse. We also did well in women’s hard hit, women’s double buck, women’s axe throw and women’s obstacle pole. Our practice site, nestled within Russell Experimental Forest, is improving every week as the team works to build new facilities.

Chapter Updates – HSU Student Chapter

HSU Student Chapter members ready for the Quiz Bowl at the 2015 SAF National Convention.
HSU Student Chapter members ready for the Quiz Bowl at the 2015 SAF National Convention.

Ten students from Humboldt State University’s SAF student club attended the 2015 SAF Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The students enthusiastically participated in many of the conference events. The group included the Quiz Bowl team, who competed in loud Hawaiian shirts. They also fielded a team for the geocaching competition.

Three students, Elektra Mathews-Novelli, Daniel Kidwell and Karl Peterson, received scholarships as Diversity Scholars, representing HSU at multiple Diversity Scholars events. Elektra also participated in the education plenary on Tuesday, November 3, providing a student’s perspective on forestry education to an audience of several hundred. Students Frank Heide and Corey Humphrey presented a poster on the politics of the biomass industry in California.

The group rounded out the trip to Baton Rouge with sightseeing in New Orleans. Malia Ortiz, SAF student chapter president, said, “My experience at the conference was eye-opening. I got to travel to a totally unknown place. I learned about forestry in other parts of the U.S., but also the cultural heritage of the South.”

Chapter Updates – Sacramento-Tahoe Chapter

HSU Student Chapter members at the 2015 SAF National Convention.
HSU Student Chapter members at the 2015 SAF National Convention.

We continue to hold meetings and participate in educational opportunities. Our attendance at meetings ranges from 15-20 normally.

Meetings

August: In August, the Chapter participated at the Nevada County Fair forestry exhibit. The effort was a success, as always, with daily activities for children and an interactive forest products game display. Special thanks to Joanne Drummond for heading up this effort!

In addition, the Chapter hosted the Northern California SAF summer meeting in Auburn. By all accounts, the meeting and tours were well received.

September: The Chapter held the monthly meeting at the USFS Institute of Forest Genetics in Placerville. Rob York spoke to us about some of his research at the Blodgett Forest in regards to various types of large tree harvesting and associated after-effects on species composition and productivity. Rob’s presentation sparked quite a bit of discussion.

October: October found the Chapter in Auburn to hear Steve Eubanks speak about small biomass energy development. This is a very timely and important topic, given all the recent policy and discussion along this topic area.

November: The November meeting was in Sacramento. We hosted Dr. Joanne FitesKauffman of the USFS. She spoke about her research into the effects of forest treatments on fire burn severity.

In December, the Chapter does not hold a meeting due to the holidays. We also do not have a meeting in January, as Northern California SAF will be having their winter meeting in Santa Rosa.

As the outgoing chapter chair, I hope to make the transition for our new chapter chair, Jon Jue, as smooth as possible. Jon has been our vice-chair, and will do an excellent job. We also have a new chapter secretary in Miles Heaton. Miles has recently moved into the Chapter’s area. Thanks to Miles for stepping up! The Chapter is still seeking a new vice-chair, as well as a treasurer.

Awards, Foresters’ Fund committee updates

By the time you read this, Don Dukleth, High Sierra Chapter, will have received the District 3 2015 Field Forester of the Year award at the national SAF convention in Baton Rouge, LA. Don is a long-time employee of Southern California Edison and has provided continuous support to Forest Conservation Days, including helping the program move to its current location outside of Kings Canyon National Park. Congratulations Don!

NorCal SAF will hopefully have received nominations by October 31 for its two annual awards, Forestry Achievement and the Chapter of the Year, which will be presented at the winter meeting in January.

Now is also the time to be thinking about nominations for national awards, which are due annually February 28.

It is exciting to announce that we’ve had very good success with our applications for Forester Fund grants. The steam donkey restoration project received a $5,000 special project grant. And I have to say it has given a jet of steam to the project. John Nicoles has been diligently working with experts to determine how to get the steam donkey repaired and has made great progress on an approach. There is new excitement and commitment from partners to assist with fund raising. We have a poster to present at the national SAF convention titled “Keeping History Alive,” which documents the history of the steam donkey, its value as an interpretive tool, and our efforts to restore it. Remember, you can go to the NorCal SAF website to get information on how to donate to this project.

The other big news is that we are receiving two $1,500 Forester Fund grants to help support the California SAF Centennial in 2016. The funds will be used to develop special displays and record the history of SAF’s contributions to forestry in California.

Dr. Douglas Piirto Endowment for Excellence in Forestry Education

Dr. Douglas Piirto
Dr. Douglas Piirto

The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department at Cal Poly has established an endowment for Excellence in Forestry Education in honor of Dr. Doug Piirto’s passionate commitment to the profession of forestry and education for the next generation of foresters. In a professional career that has spanned more than four decades, Doug was a valued faculty member, served as department head for 14 years, and was a member of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for four years. Those who know Doug recognize that this brief summary of his distinguished career merely touches on his most publicly notable accomplishments and contributions. What really mattered to Doug was how he touched individual lives in both professional and personal ways.

The Piirto Fund offers a means for people who share the same goals as Doug to contribute monetarily and ensure that his legacy continues. The funds collected will be invested by the University Foundation with payouts made, at the discretion of the department head, from the interest earned to advance Cal Poly forestry education, including, but not limited to:

  • assistance for field trips to Swanton Pacific Ranch or other locations;
  • assistance for SAF club activities, and travel to professional meetings, and related events; and
  • purchase of forestry-related tools.

To donate to the endowment, checks may be written to “Cal Poly State University” with “Dr. Douglas D. Piirto Endowment” written in the memo section of the check and/ or a note may be attached with the check, stating the same. Mail donations to Russ Kabaker, Assistant Dean of Advancement and External Relations, CAFES, Cal Poly State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407.

2016 Award Deadlines At-A-Glance

National awards: February 28 Send to: National SAF office

Fellows: February 28  Send to: National SAF office

Presidential Field Forester: May 15  Send to: District 3 representative (elect) Richard Standiford

Outstanding student chapter: June 20 Send to: National SAF office

Northern California SAF Forestry Achievement: October 31 Send to: NorCal SAF awards chair or NorCal SAF chair

Northern California SAF Chapter of the Year: October 31 Send to: NorCal SAF awards chair

Report from the 2015 SAF National Convention

Photo by Billy Metcalf Photography. https://flic.kr/p/bYcCSj
Photo by Billy Metcalf Photography. https://flic.kr/p/bYcCSj

Over 1,400 people converged on Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the 2015 SAF National Convention. It is always inspiring to attend the national convention, to see old friends and colleagues from around the country, and to make some new friends. The opening session provided a wonderful overview of southern forestry, and some of the major issues from the changing wetland forests in the coastal plain of Louisiana. Massive mortality is taking place as a result of the changing hydrological patterns from channelization and water diversions. These forest losses amplified the impacts of Hurricane Katrina in the urban areas along the Gulf of Mexico.

NorCal’s own Kevin O’Hara was a general session speaker on forestry education, sharing perspectives from the 2014 Berkeley Summit on Forestry Education. The opening session also had an outstanding keynote presentation from Heather Tallis of The Nature Conservancy. Heather is based out of Santa Cruz, and she talked about the importance of working forests in conservation and how SAF had helped her to gain a greater understanding of redwood forest management. She used some very interesting examples of how foresters, policy makers and health professionals can work together to improve the quality of life for all. We’ll try to get her engaged with NorCal and SoCal SAF in upcoming meetings. The most exciting part of the convention was the large number of students in attendance. There were over 40 students from Cal, Cal Poly and HSU at the convention, making California students the largest cohort of any state. Over 100 alumni from the three California four-year schools, along with Reedley College, met together during the alumni gatherings. It was great to have such a wonderful collection of California folks down in the bayou country! It was great to see a good age class distribution in attendees! It speaks to the future health of SAF.

In addition to the science and practice part of the convention, there was a lot of opportunity for governance of our society. Tamara Hana and Bill Snyder were active participants in the House of Society Delegates, and our current District 3 Board of Directors representative, J. Lopez represented us at numerous meetings and events. Delegates to the convention heard from SAF national officers and our staff in an early morning session. They reported on progress with the SAF branding project, as well as a new communication initiative led by SAF communications director, Jeff Ghannam. Throughout the convention, there were “policy and popcorn” sessions, on topics such as fire planning, diversity, climate change and tax policy. This was a chance to hear first hand about SAF’s policy initiatives and to comment directly on those.

For those of you who have never attended a national convention, I encourage you to come to the 2016 convention, scheduled for November 1–5, in Madison, Wisconsin. It is truly encouraging to see the wide diversity of activities that your professional society is undertaking on your behalf, and to plug in yourself and become part of the story!

In conclusion, I wanted to thank J. Lopez for his three years of dedicated service to District 3 (NorCal, SoCal and Hawaii). J. has been a tireless advocate for all of you, and has been an instrumental part of the reform of SAF governance, brought about by the new articles of incorporation and the move to a Board of Directors from the Council, under the leadership of our CEO Matt Menashes. I very much appreciate the vote of confidence you have placed in me to take over from J. in January, and know that I have big shoes to fill. Please keep in touch with any questions or concerns. SAF is only as good as the time you put into it, and I hope you all find a place to apply your talents.