Highland Conservancy

OAK WILT - DON'T PRUNE OAKS AFTER MARCH By Mark Muhich

The next forestry nightmare is lurking in Michigan’s woods right now. Oak wilt, a fungal disease transmitted by sap beetles, is lethal to all species of oaks. A 200 year-old oak tree can die in a matter of months from oak wilt. Oak wilt has been identified in about one-third of Michigan's counties. It is found in all Minnesota and Wisconsin counties where oak wilt has already killed tens of thousands of oaks. Once the fungus infects an oak tree, it can transfer to other adjacent oaks through root connections.

Oak wilt can be easily prevented by avoiding the cutting or pruning of oaks from April through July. Emergency pruning must be immediately sealed. Officials in Highland Township and in our cities, counties and our state Legislature should protect our magnificent oak trees and forests with proven oak wilt ordinances. Without a timely oak wilt ordinance, our oak forests can go the way of the chestnut, elm, and ash, all extinct.

This is a forest nightmare we can prevent, if we wake up.

Mark Muhich, conservation chairman

Central Michigan Group Sierra Club, Jackson

 

PROTECTING WILDLIFE CORRIDORS by Katheryn Krupa

[Photo taken in the spring]

While driving to work yesterday morning, I was once again reminded of the importance of maintaining wildlife corridors.  Four deer crossed from our greenbelt surrounding Dunham Lake into the nearby woods, channeled into a small corridor of wilderness due to huge fences a would be developer put up around a vast amount of nearby acreage.  I assume he wanted to keep humans out, but his actions have forced local wildlife to navigate busy roads and backyards to reach new areas to graze.  It made me so thankful later that same day to hear about the work of Ted Turner and other wealthy folks who are purchasing easements on vast tracts of land to create wildlife corridors across America.  Kudos to them!  http://www.eswr.com/tag/wildlife-corridors/