Nebraska Forest Service

Dry conditions continue to put stress on Nebraska trees, especially in the western Panhandle, where exceptional drought persists. Prolonged drought can increase trees’ vulnerability to borers, bark beetles and diseases.

The latest Forest Health Report also highlights Emerald Ash Borer, which has now been detected in 20 Nebraska counties, along with several pests and diseases to watch for this summer, including Thyronectria canker, mimosa webworm, honeylocust spider mites, pine bark adelgid, woolly apple aphid and magnolia scale.

During dry periods, deep watering can help trees withstand stress and reduce their vulnerability to pests and disease.

Read the full July Forest Health Report from the Nebraska Forest Service: https://go.unl.edu/fhjuly26

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts has introduced the PREPARE Act, legislation that would establish a pilot program to strategically preposition aerial firefighting resources in Nebraska and other Great Plains states during early-season wildfire conditions.

The Nebraska Forest Service supports the legislation. The goal is straightforward: have critical firefighting resources closer to where they may be needed, helping reduce response times when wildfires start.

"Over the past several years, Nebraska has experienced some of the most challenging wildfire seasons in recent history,” says John Erixson, Nebraska State Forester. “Early-season grassfires, prolonged drought, and extreme fire weather have demonstrated that wildfires no longer respect traditional fire seasons. The PREPARE Act recognizes this reality by helping ensure aerial firefighting resources can be strategically positioned where they are needed most before conditions become critical. Investing in preparedness is one of the most effective ways to protect lives, communities, working lands, and natural resources."

What happens when you combine trees, crops and livestock?

Nebraska Forest Service agroforester Pam Bergstrom explores how agroforestry can improve productivity, protect soil and water, support wildlife and create new opportunities for landowners.

Watch the latest Tree Care 101 video and discover how trees can play a bigger role in Nebraska’s working landscapes: https://youtu.be/A8eE_HF7H-w?si=3rUfn_QQ-8joFWCU

Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Come get your back to school supplies from the Nebraska Forest Service here at East Campus Discovery Days! We have free notebooks and bags while supplies last. Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The system’s soil moisture data has also been used to guide wildfire preparedness. State forestry officials noticed higher soil moisture in eastern Nebraska, which can make vegetation greener and harder to burn. After reviewing soil maps, they moved aircraft west, where conditions were drier, before wildfires occurred.

State Forester John Erixson said his team meets once a week to determine where the highest risk is, using Mesonet data. He said deeper soil moisture readings can help indicate when vegetation is becoming more susceptible to burning.

“It also gives us information for the soil that’s deeper than that so that 20-40 inch soil when that soil moisture gets under 20% as well, our trees are starting to cure out, our shrubs are curing out, and they become very receptive to fires and even crowning fires that happen across the state,” Erixson said.

Nebraska Mesonet system passes 100 station, lead Nebraska weather data After a year marked by drought and wildfires, Nebraska’s expanding Mesonet weather station network is helping officials track conditions and make decisions aime

Happy Tuesday! It's tough to be a tree in our region with our weather extremes, diseases, insects and other problems constantly lurking. If you want to learn more about some of the more prominent tree health issues being encountered this year, tune into the next NFS Tree Planting 101 Webinar scheduled for Friday, August 14 at 12 Noon CT. The NFS Forest Health team including Laurie Stepanek, Jennifer Morris and Lauren Keefe will cover several issues and impacts associated with tree health across Nebraska. Insects, diseases, climate and abiotic issues will be discussed. You can learn more about the Tree Care 101 Webinar series and register at go.unl.edu/trees101

Some of the most important work in forestry is measured not in months, but in decades.

The Nebraska Forest Service is leading a statewide effort to help secure the future of one of the Great Plains' most iconic trees: the bur oak. Young bur oaks are often affected by stem galls, growths that weaken trees and leave them more vulnerable to pests and environmental stress. But some mature bur oaks remain completely free of galls, even when growing near heavily infested trees.

To find out why, NFS Forest Health Specialist Jennifer Morris collected acorns from these promising trees, grew them into seedlings, and distributed them to 12 Nebraska communities and three research sites managed by Natural Resources Districts and the Nebraska Forest Service. Over the next 5 to 10 years, these trees will be monitored to determine whether they inherited resistance to stem galls.

Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Fire danger is elevated across western Nebraska this weekend, with high to very high conditions expected. If you're in these areas, be extra cautious with any activity that could spark a wildfire. Avoid debris burning if possible, and if you have burned recently, continue checking your burn piles over the coming days to make sure they are completely out. Even days later, hidden embers can reignite and start a wildfire. One small spark can quickly become a fast moving fire. Stay aware and help keep Nebraska safe.

Hope you're having a tree-rrific tuesday! As you begin planning your fall tree planting, consider adding a concolor fir to your landscape! 🌲 This Nebraska friendly evergreen grows well across the state, tolerates drought once established, provides valuable winter cover for wildlife, and features beautiful blue green needles with a classic Christmas tree shape and fragrance. Plant several together for the best results and enjoy a tree that will add beauty to your landscape for generations.

Applications for the Nebraska Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program are still open — but time is running out!

The application deadline has been extended to July 31, giving Nebraska volunteer fire departments a little more time to apply for funding that can help strengthen their wildland fire response capabilities.

This cost-share program assists volunteer fire departments serving communities of fewer than 10,000 residents with the purchase of equipment, prevention materials, and training. Grants provide reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible project costs, including two-way radios, protective clothing, breathing apparatus, and firefighting equipment.

Don't wait until the last minute. Submit your application before the 10 p.m. CDT deadline on July 31.

Learn more and apply: go.unl.edu/vfa