Insects & Diseases

Texas A&M Forest Service is offering landowners financial and technical assistance through the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program. Applications for this cost-share program are open now and will close on Jan. 31, 2026, at midnight. Eligible landowners can receive technical and financial assistance to reduce the threat of future Southern Pine Beetle infestations and outbreaks […]

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Jack, Navarro, Somervell, Bell and Rockwall counties. Bell County’s confirmation makes it the southernmost confirmed location of EAB in the nation. First confirmed in Texas in 2016, EAB has spread to 31 counties statewide. In 2024, EAB was confirmed in five new […]

Una hoja informativa sobre el escarabajo ambrosía.

The Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) has been actively combating oak wilt, a fungal disease threatening oak trees, through various programs, partnerships, and educational efforts, saving millions of trees and generating significant economic benefits.

Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 Texas counties. Texans can help prevent it from spreading by avoiding pruning or wounding oak trees from February through June.      “Prevention is key to stopping the spread of oak wilt,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest […]

2020 W-9 Southern Pine Beetle Form

FY 2024 Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program Application

Ambrosia beetles are small insects that belong to two main groups: bark beetles and pinhole borers.   While most of these beetles are native and target dead or dying trees, some invasive species, like the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, can cause severe damage to trees.   Lifecycle  Beetle infestations begin when beetles locate a suitable host tree. Females […]

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – As fall-like weather occurs across the state, Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting, transporting and purchasing firewood. As Texans travel for hunting or camping trips, they may unknowingly be bringing deadly, […]

Luna moth (Actias luna) is one of the most beautiful silk moths found in North America. Luna moths are not considered pests. Their larvae, which are large caterpillars, don’t usually grow large enough to cause significant damage to hosts.  Life cycle Larval stage (caterpillar)  The caterpillar or larva of the luna moth does not have […]

The twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata) is a longhorn beetle. Each fall, usually September through November, these beetles neatly girdle tree branches about the diameter of a pencil. The branches will fall to the ground and by the time you find them, the beetle that girdled the branch has left. Because of this, the adult beetle […]

Galls are growths that occur on leaves, twigs, and roots of trees. They are caused by insects, mites, fungi, or bacteria. They can vary in shape, size, and texture. Galls form due to colonization, egg-laying, or feeding of the gall-forming organism. The gall itself is the tree’s response to the organism. The tree forms the […]

The largest caterpillar in East Texas is the hickory horned devil, named after it’s looks; like a small dragon. The adult moth that emerges is a regal moth or royal walnut moth, Citheronia regalis.  If you come across it unexpectedly, it can be very intimidating.  Despite its scary appearance, the hickory horned devil is completely […]

Bark lice are small, soft-bodied insects with long antennae. They resemble aphids.   Bark lice make silken webs on the bark of tree trunks and limbs and are common from May to July. They are members of the order Psocoptera, and there are over 300 species in 26 families in the U.S. and Canada.  The bark […]

Elm leaf beetles defoliate all species of elm and are found wherever elms grow in Texas. Adult elm leaf beetles eat holes in the leaves of elm trees, but the larvae cause most of the damage due to heavy skeletonization of the leaf surface. They can strip the foliage entirely from an elm. Shade and […]

The eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americana) is not a significant forest pest in Texas, although it appears annually and can occasionally be found in large numbers.   The caterpillar primarily targets black cherry, plum, hawthorn, and related species, mostly within the genus Prunus. While attacked trees do not die, repeated defoliation can kill twigs and branches […]

The most common and easily noticeable diseases of oak trees is leaf fungi known as leaf spots. These fungi infect the leaves, and in some cases the twigs and buds, of oak trees causing discoloration, spotting, and loss of leaves.   Several fungal species cause leaf spots. Some of the most common are Tubakia, Anthracnose, tar […]

Laurel wilt, Raffaelea lauricola, is a fungal pathogen spread by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. It affects all species in the Laurel family, Lauraceae sp., including sassafras, laurel, and bay trees.   Infections are fatal and can spread quickly to susceptible trees nearby. Redbay ambrosia beetles carrying the fungus infect mature trees and lay their […]

Bacterial leaf scorch causes browning or a scorched appearance on the outer areas of leaves. It is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.   Bacterial leaf scorch is a systemic disease that invades the vascular tissue known as xylem. The xylem is responsible for the transportation of water and nutrients from the root system to the […]

Root rot is a term used for decaying fungi that damage tree root systems and hinder the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water through the canopy.   Significant root damage can lead to structural failure, increasing the risk of the tree falling and causing harm or damage. Poor water relations and soil conditions can exacerbate […]

Hypoxylon canker, Biscogniauxia atropunctatum, is a fungus that causes stressed oak and other hardwood trees to die. The disease is common across the southern U.S.   Healthy trees are not invaded by the fungus. Instead hypoxylon  infects the sapwood of a tree that has been damaged, stressed, or weakened.   Trees can become stressed from defoliation by […]

Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the U.S. and is killing oaks in Central and West Texas at epidemic proportions. It has been confirmed in 76 counties in Texas.   It is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which invades and disables the water-conducting system in oaks. All […]

Invasive trees and plants are species that are non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health.  When introduced to new environments, these trees and plants can outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and cause significant ecological and economic damage.   Invasive trees and […]

Increased international trade has led to an unprecedented movement and establishment of invasives throughout the country. Insects are considered invasive when the species is non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health.  These species are a concern because they grow, reproduce, and […]

Invasive species include a variety of plants, insects, and animals that have been introduced from other regions or ecosystems and cause, or are likely to cause, harm to the economy, environment, or human health. Introduction of these species into an ecosystem is often a direct result of human activity. This can include plants introduced as […]

Most diseases, or pathogens, that affect trees are secondary, which means they thrive in stressed hosts. Environmental stresses like heat, drought, flooding, lightning, animal damage, construction damage, soil compaction, and wildfire make trees more susceptible to diseases. Often the best way to prevent tree diseases is to keep trees healthy. Some pathogens on the other […]

The fall webworm is a common pest of shade and ornamental trees in Texas. They cover leaves, branches, and trees in a silken web.   They are native to North America and found in the U.S. and southern Canada. Fall webworm can be found in more than 100 species of broadleaf trees including pecan, persimmon, black […]

If you have noticed small, neatly cut, circular pieces of flower or leaf tissue missing from your ornamental plants, they have been visited by a leaf-cutting bee.   These insects are seldom seen, but evidence of their presence is very distinct. The characteristic, circular cuts are often seen on rose leaves, but the bees seem to […]

Katydids are members of the order Orthoptera, which include the grasshoppers, crickets, and other species of katydids. They are a form of long-horned grasshopper (family Tettigoniidae).  Katydids get their name from the sound males make as they rub their wings together. The song of the male katydid, a form of insect communication, is a familiar […]

Walkingsticks are unusual and striking insects that mimic sticks and twigs to camouflage themselves from predators. The longest insect found in the U.S. is found in Texas. The giant walkingstick, Megaphasma dentricus, which can reach seven inches long.   Lifecycle   All walkingsticks go through gradual metamorphosis which means the immature stages look like full grown adults […]

Lovebugs, Plecia nearctica, are small, black insects with a red thorax (the area behind the head) are more correctly called March flies. Even though they occur in May and Sept. in Texas.   They are classified in the insect order Diptera (true flies) and technically are not bugs, being more closely related to the house fly. […]

Invasive species like the emerald ash borer and laurel wilt have become significant threats, killing native trees and disrupting ecosystems. Additionally, multiple stressors such as native pests, diseases, and environmental factors compound, can lead to the slow weakening and eventual death of trees.   Texas’ extreme climate, with high temperatures and prolonged droughts, intensifies tree stress, […]

Emerald ash borers are an incredibly destructive, invasive pest that preys exclusively on ash trees. Currently, 24 Texas counties are infested with EAB.

The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Collin, Franklin, Johnson and Red River Counties.

Handout on signs of unhealthy trees for Tree Trails secondary lesson 2-3, “Tree and Forest Health”

Information sheet on identification and control of brown spot needle blight in Longleaf pine

Fact sheet on how to identify and manage fusiform rust in pines

Fact sheet on how to identify, prevent, and control annosum root disease in pine and eastern redcedar

Fact sheet to assist in education and identification of forest tent caterpillar and affects on trees

Guide to help communities plan for and manage EAB infestations

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) is confirmed in Grayson, Hill, Hood, McLennan and Palo Pinto Counties. EAB is infesting and killing ash trees in new areas of the state and continues to spread south.

Invasive species cause many negative impacts to the Texas landscape, from the displacement of native trees to potentially wiping out entire species.

With three consecutive years of severe weather conditions throughout Texas, including extended hard freezes and droughts, East Texas trees have become vulnerable to secondary threats. These threats include cedar bark beetles, Ips engraver beetles, hypoxylon canker and cedar rust fungi.

Texas A&M Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2024 Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Prevention Cost-Share Program. Applications are due by Feb. 1.

Don’t move firewood, prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans, and especially outdoor enthusiasts, to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting

These trees played a major role in the history of both Texas and Pecan trees.

Rich Gray announced his retirement as Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Regional Fire Coordinator last month.

Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans, and especially outdoor enthusiasts, to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being knowledgeable when collecting and purchasing firewood.

This fall is expected to be warmer and drier than average, and combined with the effects related to the lingering drought, that means this year’s fall foliage may be less vibrant than usual.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in two additional Texas counties this month – Morris and Rusk.

Only mid-way through June and Texas has already seen extreme heat and very little rain this summer, with the trend predicted to continue.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed this week in Wise County.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed this week in Dallas County.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed May 2, 2022 in Parker County.

Distribution, identification and prevention of laurel wilt spread by redbay ambrosia beetle.

Distribución, identificación y prevención de la marchitez del laurel propagada por el escarabajo ambrosía del laurel rojo.

Driving across Texas has been an interesting occupation for foresters and arborists these past few weeks. Many trees appear as healthy and vibrant as they have ever been, but littered in amongst the growing green are an equal – and seemingly arbitrary – population of barren oak trees.

Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees in 76 counties of Central, North and West Texas.

Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting applications for the 2020 Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Prevention Cost-Share Program. Through this program, eligible forest landowners can receive financial and technical assistance related to reducing the threat of future SPB infestations and outbreaks.

Find the root of your tree’s problem whether it be caused by insect, disease or other factor. TreeMD’s main feature is a diagnosis tool that allows you to quickly find results from its vast database.

The presence of the deadly emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed May 19, 2020 in Denton and Bowie Counties. EAB has infested and killed ash trees in both counties, soon adding them to the list of Texas jurisdictions to be placed under the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) wood transportation quarantine on EAB.

Explore resources for managing oak wilt in Texas.

Spring and warm weather are finally here, bringing new growth and life. But they also bring increased forest pest activity. Now is the time for landowners to check their trees for signs of pests and/or pest damage.

Regions at highest risk of catastrophic loss of hardwoods

Eligible forest landowners can receive financial and technical assistance by helping reduce the threat of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) infestations and outbreaks.

Jason Ellis, Jacksonville District Forester for Texas A&M Forest Service, was awarded the 2019 Forest Stewardship Forester Award by the USDA Forest Service Southern Region and the Southern Group of State Foresters. Throughout his career, Ellis has consistently excelled at helping rural, private landowners achieve sustainable management of their forested lands throughout his district.

Landowners may wonder what the record-high lumber prices in the first half of 2018 signal for timber prices. This historically high lumber price leads many to expect higher prices for standing timber, however, the association between lumber and timber prices is loose over short time span

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of a statewide infestation Emerald Ash Borer

Texas A&M Forest Service recently mobilized Urban Forest Strike Teams to the coastal Texas towns of Rockport, Fulton, Refugio and Victoria to assess damage to the trees on public property resulting from Hurricane Harvey. Impacted communities deal with many post-storm issues, one of which includes destruction to public trees

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in West Texas communities

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in the DFW metro area

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in the Austin/San Antonio area

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in the Houston metro area

Texans from across the state gathered today in the Oldest Town in Texas to celebrate the State Arbor Day and how trees can connect the past, present and future.

Texas A&M Forest Service surveyed the 2,312 acres of the Hidden Pines Fire that burned outside the 2011 Bastrop County Complex fire boundary. This area encompasses part of Buescher State Park, private and public property. The state agency estimates that 143,000 out of 233,000 trees were killed in this area, including those likely to die as a result of the wildfire. This translates into a potential $1.8 million loss in ecosystem services — a value placed on the annual social, economic and environmental benefits the trees provided the area before the fire.

Firewood is an important commodity to Texans, whether it is used for firing up the barbecue pit or for warming up on a chilly winter morning. And with cooler temperatures arriving, now is the time to pay close attention to the firewood you are picking up and storing for use in winter.

The Nature Conservancy, Texas A&M Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service have collaborated to purchase a conservation easement on 4,785 acres of forestland in the Longleaf Ridge area of East Texas, permanently protecting some of the best longleaf pine habitat in the state.

ENGRAVER BEETLE ACTIVITY ON THE INCREASE IN EAST TEXAS With the prolonged drought that many areas of the east Texas piney woods are experiencing, an increase in Ips or engraver beetle activity is occurring. Engraver beetles are small, brown to black, cylindrical insects that attack and kill pine trees by feeding and laying eggs in […]

Texas A&M Forest Service is offering landowners financial and technical assistance through the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program. Applications for this cost-share program are open now and will close on Jan. 31, 2026, at midnight. Eligible landowners can receive technical and financial assistance to reduce the threat of future Southern Pine Beetle infestations and outbreaks […]

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Jack, Navarro, Somervell, Bell and Rockwall counties. Bell County’s confirmation makes it the southernmost confirmed location of EAB in the nation. First confirmed in Texas in 2016, EAB has spread to 31 counties statewide. In 2024, EAB was confirmed in five new […]

Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 Texas counties. Texans can help prevent it from spreading by avoiding pruning or wounding oak trees from February through June.      “Prevention is key to stopping the spread of oak wilt,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest […]

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – As fall-like weather occurs across the state, Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting, transporting and purchasing firewood. As Texans travel for hunting or camping trips, they may unknowingly be bringing deadly, […]

Emerald ash borers are an incredibly destructive, invasive pest that preys exclusively on ash trees. Currently, 24 Texas counties are infested with EAB.

The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Collin, Franklin, Johnson and Red River Counties.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) is confirmed in Grayson, Hill, Hood, McLennan and Palo Pinto Counties. EAB is infesting and killing ash trees in new areas of the state and continues to spread south.

Invasive species cause many negative impacts to the Texas landscape, from the displacement of native trees to potentially wiping out entire species.

With three consecutive years of severe weather conditions throughout Texas, including extended hard freezes and droughts, East Texas trees have become vulnerable to secondary threats. These threats include cedar bark beetles, Ips engraver beetles, hypoxylon canker and cedar rust fungi.

Texas A&M Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2024 Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Prevention Cost-Share Program. Applications are due by Feb. 1.

Don’t move firewood, prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans, and especially outdoor enthusiasts, to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting

These trees played a major role in the history of both Texas and Pecan trees.

Rich Gray announced his retirement as Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Regional Fire Coordinator last month.

Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans, and especially outdoor enthusiasts, to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being knowledgeable when collecting and purchasing firewood.

This fall is expected to be warmer and drier than average, and combined with the effects related to the lingering drought, that means this year’s fall foliage may be less vibrant than usual.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in two additional Texas counties this month – Morris and Rusk.

Only mid-way through June and Texas has already seen extreme heat and very little rain this summer, with the trend predicted to continue.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed this week in Wise County.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed this week in Dallas County.

The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed May 2, 2022 in Parker County.

Driving across Texas has been an interesting occupation for foresters and arborists these past few weeks. Many trees appear as healthy and vibrant as they have ever been, but littered in amongst the growing green are an equal – and seemingly arbitrary – population of barren oak trees.

Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees in 76 counties of Central, North and West Texas.

Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting applications for the 2020 Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Prevention Cost-Share Program. Through this program, eligible forest landowners can receive financial and technical assistance related to reducing the threat of future SPB infestations and outbreaks.

The presence of the deadly emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed May 19, 2020 in Denton and Bowie Counties. EAB has infested and killed ash trees in both counties, soon adding them to the list of Texas jurisdictions to be placed under the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) wood transportation quarantine on EAB.

Spring and warm weather are finally here, bringing new growth and life. But they also bring increased forest pest activity. Now is the time for landowners to check their trees for signs of pests and/or pest damage.

Eligible forest landowners can receive financial and technical assistance by helping reduce the threat of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) infestations and outbreaks.

Jason Ellis, Jacksonville District Forester for Texas A&M Forest Service, was awarded the 2019 Forest Stewardship Forester Award by the USDA Forest Service Southern Region and the Southern Group of State Foresters. Throughout his career, Ellis has consistently excelled at helping rural, private landowners achieve sustainable management of their forested lands throughout his district.

Landowners may wonder what the record-high lumber prices in the first half of 2018 signal for timber prices. This historically high lumber price leads many to expect higher prices for standing timber, however, the association between lumber and timber prices is loose over short time span

Texas A&M Forest Service recently mobilized Urban Forest Strike Teams to the coastal Texas towns of Rockport, Fulton, Refugio and Victoria to assess damage to the trees on public property resulting from Hurricane Harvey. Impacted communities deal with many post-storm issues, one of which includes destruction to public trees

Texans from across the state gathered today in the Oldest Town in Texas to celebrate the State Arbor Day and how trees can connect the past, present and future.

Texas A&M Forest Service surveyed the 2,312 acres of the Hidden Pines Fire that burned outside the 2011 Bastrop County Complex fire boundary. This area encompasses part of Buescher State Park, private and public property. The state agency estimates that 143,000 out of 233,000 trees were killed in this area, including those likely to die as a result of the wildfire. This translates into a potential $1.8 million loss in ecosystem services — a value placed on the annual social, economic and environmental benefits the trees provided the area before the fire.

Firewood is an important commodity to Texans, whether it is used for firing up the barbecue pit or for warming up on a chilly winter morning. And with cooler temperatures arriving, now is the time to pay close attention to the firewood you are picking up and storing for use in winter.

The Nature Conservancy, Texas A&M Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service have collaborated to purchase a conservation easement on 4,785 acres of forestland in the Longleaf Ridge area of East Texas, permanently protecting some of the best longleaf pine habitat in the state.

ENGRAVER BEETLE ACTIVITY ON THE INCREASE IN EAST TEXAS With the prolonged drought that many areas of the east Texas piney woods are experiencing, an increase in Ips or engraver beetle activity is occurring. Engraver beetles are small, brown to black, cylindrical insects that attack and kill pine trees by feeding and laying eggs in […]

Ambrosia beetles are small insects that belong to two main groups: bark beetles and pinhole borers.   While most of these beetles are native and target dead or dying trees, some invasive species, like the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, can cause severe damage to trees.   Lifecycle  Beetle infestations begin when beetles locate a suitable host tree. Females […]

Luna moth (Actias luna) is one of the most beautiful silk moths found in North America. Luna moths are not considered pests. Their larvae, which are large caterpillars, don’t usually grow large enough to cause significant damage to hosts.  Life cycle Larval stage (caterpillar)  The caterpillar or larva of the luna moth does not have […]

The twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata) is a longhorn beetle. Each fall, usually September through November, these beetles neatly girdle tree branches about the diameter of a pencil. The branches will fall to the ground and by the time you find them, the beetle that girdled the branch has left. Because of this, the adult beetle […]

Galls are growths that occur on leaves, twigs, and roots of trees. They are caused by insects, mites, fungi, or bacteria. They can vary in shape, size, and texture. Galls form due to colonization, egg-laying, or feeding of the gall-forming organism. The gall itself is the tree’s response to the organism. The tree forms the […]

The largest caterpillar in East Texas is the hickory horned devil, named after it’s looks; like a small dragon. The adult moth that emerges is a regal moth or royal walnut moth, Citheronia regalis.  If you come across it unexpectedly, it can be very intimidating.  Despite its scary appearance, the hickory horned devil is completely […]

Bark lice are small, soft-bodied insects with long antennae. They resemble aphids.   Bark lice make silken webs on the bark of tree trunks and limbs and are common from May to July. They are members of the order Psocoptera, and there are over 300 species in 26 families in the U.S. and Canada.  The bark […]

Elm leaf beetles defoliate all species of elm and are found wherever elms grow in Texas. Adult elm leaf beetles eat holes in the leaves of elm trees, but the larvae cause most of the damage due to heavy skeletonization of the leaf surface. They can strip the foliage entirely from an elm. Shade and […]

The eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americana) is not a significant forest pest in Texas, although it appears annually and can occasionally be found in large numbers.   The caterpillar primarily targets black cherry, plum, hawthorn, and related species, mostly within the genus Prunus. While attacked trees do not die, repeated defoliation can kill twigs and branches […]

The most common and easily noticeable diseases of oak trees is leaf fungi known as leaf spots. These fungi infect the leaves, and in some cases the twigs and buds, of oak trees causing discoloration, spotting, and loss of leaves.   Several fungal species cause leaf spots. Some of the most common are Tubakia, Anthracnose, tar […]

Laurel wilt, Raffaelea lauricola, is a fungal pathogen spread by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. It affects all species in the Laurel family, Lauraceae sp., including sassafras, laurel, and bay trees.   Infections are fatal and can spread quickly to susceptible trees nearby. Redbay ambrosia beetles carrying the fungus infect mature trees and lay their […]

Bacterial leaf scorch causes browning or a scorched appearance on the outer areas of leaves. It is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.   Bacterial leaf scorch is a systemic disease that invades the vascular tissue known as xylem. The xylem is responsible for the transportation of water and nutrients from the root system to the […]

Root rot is a term used for decaying fungi that damage tree root systems and hinder the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water through the canopy.   Significant root damage can lead to structural failure, increasing the risk of the tree falling and causing harm or damage. Poor water relations and soil conditions can exacerbate […]

Hypoxylon canker, Biscogniauxia atropunctatum, is a fungus that causes stressed oak and other hardwood trees to die. The disease is common across the southern U.S.   Healthy trees are not invaded by the fungus. Instead hypoxylon  infects the sapwood of a tree that has been damaged, stressed, or weakened.   Trees can become stressed from defoliation by […]

Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the U.S. and is killing oaks in Central and West Texas at epidemic proportions. It has been confirmed in 76 counties in Texas.   It is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which invades and disables the water-conducting system in oaks. All […]

Invasive trees and plants are species that are non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health.  When introduced to new environments, these trees and plants can outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and cause significant ecological and economic damage.   Invasive trees and […]

Increased international trade has led to an unprecedented movement and establishment of invasives throughout the country. Insects are considered invasive when the species is non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health.  These species are a concern because they grow, reproduce, and […]

Invasive species include a variety of plants, insects, and animals that have been introduced from other regions or ecosystems and cause, or are likely to cause, harm to the economy, environment, or human health. Introduction of these species into an ecosystem is often a direct result of human activity. This can include plants introduced as […]

Most diseases, or pathogens, that affect trees are secondary, which means they thrive in stressed hosts. Environmental stresses like heat, drought, flooding, lightning, animal damage, construction damage, soil compaction, and wildfire make trees more susceptible to diseases. Often the best way to prevent tree diseases is to keep trees healthy. Some pathogens on the other […]

The fall webworm is a common pest of shade and ornamental trees in Texas. They cover leaves, branches, and trees in a silken web.   They are native to North America and found in the U.S. and southern Canada. Fall webworm can be found in more than 100 species of broadleaf trees including pecan, persimmon, black […]

If you have noticed small, neatly cut, circular pieces of flower or leaf tissue missing from your ornamental plants, they have been visited by a leaf-cutting bee.   These insects are seldom seen, but evidence of their presence is very distinct. The characteristic, circular cuts are often seen on rose leaves, but the bees seem to […]

Katydids are members of the order Orthoptera, which include the grasshoppers, crickets, and other species of katydids. They are a form of long-horned grasshopper (family Tettigoniidae).  Katydids get their name from the sound males make as they rub their wings together. The song of the male katydid, a form of insect communication, is a familiar […]

Walkingsticks are unusual and striking insects that mimic sticks and twigs to camouflage themselves from predators. The longest insect found in the U.S. is found in Texas. The giant walkingstick, Megaphasma dentricus, which can reach seven inches long.   Lifecycle   All walkingsticks go through gradual metamorphosis which means the immature stages look like full grown adults […]

Lovebugs, Plecia nearctica, are small, black insects with a red thorax (the area behind the head) are more correctly called March flies. Even though they occur in May and Sept. in Texas.   They are classified in the insect order Diptera (true flies) and technically are not bugs, being more closely related to the house fly. […]

Invasive species like the emerald ash borer and laurel wilt have become significant threats, killing native trees and disrupting ecosystems. Additionally, multiple stressors such as native pests, diseases, and environmental factors compound, can lead to the slow weakening and eventual death of trees.   Texas’ extreme climate, with high temperatures and prolonged droughts, intensifies tree stress, […]

2020 W-9 Southern Pine Beetle Form

FY 2024 Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program Application

Una hoja informativa sobre el escarabajo ambrosía.

Handout on signs of unhealthy trees for Tree Trails secondary lesson 2-3, “Tree and Forest Health”

Information sheet on identification and control of brown spot needle blight in Longleaf pine

Fact sheet on how to identify and manage fusiform rust in pines

Fact sheet on how to identify, prevent, and control annosum root disease in pine and eastern redcedar

Fact sheet to assist in education and identification of forest tent caterpillar and affects on trees

Guide to help communities plan for and manage EAB infestations

Distribution, identification and prevention of laurel wilt spread by redbay ambrosia beetle.

Distribución, identificación y prevención de la marchitez del laurel propagada por el escarabajo ambrosía del laurel rojo.

Regions at highest risk of catastrophic loss of hardwoods

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of a statewide infestation Emerald Ash Borer

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in West Texas communities

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in the DFW metro area

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in the Austin/San Antonio area

Fact sheet on the potential impacts of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in the Houston metro area

Find the root of your tree’s problem whether it be caused by insect, disease or other factor. TreeMD’s main feature is a diagnosis tool that allows you to quickly find results from its vast database.

Explore resources for managing oak wilt in Texas.