Forest insects and diseases can affect all aspects of the way we use our forest resource. A walk in the woods is not as enjoyable if you are surrounded by defoliated trees. Economic losses can result when valuable stands are weakened or killed. Forest Health is a section within the Forest Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources. This section provides technical advice and management options to forest stakeholders who are attempting to deal with pest problems.

(photo at right is the Spruce Beetle [Scott Tunnock, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org] www.forestryimages.org

• More about Forest Health ...
• The Forests Act
• Contact Forest Health
• Information on Lyme Disease
• Information on West Nile Virus

 

 

Spruce Beetle

The spruce beetle is native to Nova Scotia and attacks mature and overmature spruce. Once established in a forest stand, it can become very destructive. Its preferred host in Nova Scotia is white spruce, but all spruce species can be attacked and killed. More...

Balsam Woolly Adelgid in Christmas Trees

March is a good time for Christmas Tree Growers to assess their trees for the presence of the Balsam Woolly Adelgid. There is a simple procedure that will give you an idea what you will be dealing with in the coming season. Although this procedure will not give you exact population numbers, it will indicate whether the adelgid is present and give you a headstart on planning a control strategy. More...

Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle

Forest Health continues to cooperate with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Forest Service to survey for this insect. An information sheet on this insect is available. More...