Arborists and Tree Diseases – Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA)

Fungal Pathogens

This last week the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA) had its conference here in Eugene.  It is always exciting to see what groups come to our area.  And, while much of what the group does is not related to the University, certain aspects are.  Our Landscape Architecture Department is definitely involved in Arboriculture, and several of our faculty in Biology/Environmental Studies are working on issues of fungal and insect diseases within woody species.  It was very cool to see the group compete to identify not only native and planted tree species but also to identify specific insect and fungal pathogens on woody material.  I was happy to see that several local colleagues were involved: Erik Burke of Friends of Trees and Scott Altenhoff of Eugene Parks and Open Space.

Getting ready to test their skills identifying trees and tree diseases

Signs of insects