Michigan launches tree replacement program
Michigan announced a pilot program designed to assist property owners who lost trees due to emerald ash borers. Restoration of Our Trees (ROOT) will help residents replant trees in 21 Michigan counties quarantined for the pest. Through ROOT, 1,600 7-gallon trees will be available in April to homeowners for $25 each. Species available include sugar and red maple, ginkgo, tulip tree, red oak and little-leaved linden.

Canada adds dogwoods, eucalyptus to P. ramorum list
Canadian Food Inspection Agency added the genera Cornus and Eucalyptus to the list of regulated plants for Phytophthora ramorum. Growers of regulated plants originating from a quarantine area in the U.S. are required to obtain phytosanitary certificates containing the additional declaration: "The plant material in this consignment has been produced in a production site free of sudden oak death disease (Phytophthora ramorum) and conforms to the USDA SOD-Free Nursery Stock Program." Canada's P. ramorum list differs from USDA's list.

USDA awards $1.1 million for invasives research
USDA presented $1.1 million to universities in 7 states to study the prevention, control and eradication of invasive pests and diseases. Projects funded include slowing the spread of emerald ash borer in Michigan and Ohio, and helping private landowners detect, prevent and control invasive species. Funding will go to universities in AZ, MI, MN, MT, OH, TX and WI.

New longhorn beetle hits Florida
A neotropical longhorn beetle (Trachyderes mandibularis) has made it to Florida's mainland. It has inhabited the lower Florida Keys for several years, but it was discovered this fall in Manatee County. The black and yellow beetle grows to 1 inch long and has the same coloring on its antennae. Hosts include Salix, Parkinsonia and citrus. "Although the pest potential of this pest seems low, this discovery illustrates dramatically a pathway for the introduction of exotic organisms into the state," said Michael Thomas, Florida Dept. of Ag. and Consumer Services entomologist.

Worth a visit
Jonathan Jones, national Phytophthora ramorum project manager with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, talks about the latest management efforts. Only on GreenBeam.com.

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