2017 Maryland Forest Health Highlights
2017 Forest Health MARYLAND highlights Forest Resource Summary Maryland occupies a land area of 6,264,876 acres. Forest land comprises 2,709,062 acres, of which nearly 76 percent is privately owned. Healthy, productive forests are critical in urban and rural areas for soil conservation, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and aesthetics. The forest products industry is the largest employer in Allegany and Garrett Counties and the second largest employer on the Eastern Shore. Forest Land Ownership in Maryland, 2012 Forest Service Northeastern Area Maryland Department of State and Private Forestry Agriculture May 2018 Net Volume of Growing Stock on Timberland by Species in Maryland, 2012 Forest Health Surveys in 1981. Each fall and winter, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) conducts an In 2017, gypsy moths defoliated 5 acres, extensive survey for gypsy moth egg masses variable oakleaf caterpillars defoliated 5,700 to determine potential areas of defoliation. acres, and ash rust defoliated 2,500 acres. From August 2016 through March 2017, MDA Mature chestnut and red oaks are dying in personnel conducted gypsy moth egg mass Maryland’s most northern tier counties and surveys on 481,162 acres of “high-value” one county on the Eastern shore. Secondary forested lands. High-value forested sites pests are present, but are likely not the cause include areas with development, recreational of mortality. Trees have been tested by a U.S. use, managed forest and wildlife resources, Forest Service pathologist, and the results and other site conditions that render dieback were first found to be inconclusive. A second and mortality economically and socially test was run, and trees in Carroll County important.
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