Enclosure 2

PTIPS Activity Report:

Complete one page for each project within PTIPS (insect or pathogen per region) that received funding last year.

Region: 08

Insect, Pathogen, or Other (example: Dwarf Mistletoe, Spruce Budworm, etc.): Leptographium and root feeding beetles and weevils, pine decline

Status of Project:

__X_Continuing (funds are being requested for fiscal year 2006)

Location: Four National Forest Ranger Districts

 Caney Ranger District, LA – 12 plots in FY 2004

 Holly Springs, MS – 12 plots in FY 2004

 Davy Crockett NF, TX – 12 plots mapped and to be installed and monitored in FY 2006

 Tuskegee National Forest– 12 plots mapped and to be installed and monitored in FY 2006

Purpose or Objective: To establish baseline database using Forest Health Monitoring protocols for the assessment of pine decline within the western zone (Alabama and Texas) of the Southern Region.

Overview Description of Project:

Year plots were established: 24 plots in FY 2004, 24 plots in FY 2006

Schedule for re-measurement:

Forest type: Upland pine sites, mixed pine/hardwood; loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, and longleaf pine

Age class: 3 different age class groups are being monitored; 0 – 20 age classes, 20 – 40 age classes, 40 – 60 age classes

Treatment: Plot selection includes, ½ of plots by age classes are on decline sites (as determined by Loblolly Decline Risk Map) (Eckhardt 2003). One-half of the plots are on healthy or minimal risk sites as determined by LDRM. Treatment of plots include:

 1st year (FY 2004 & 2006; year plots installed) – tree and crown measurements, FHM protocols.

 2nd year (FY 2005) – pit-fall traps, collection and identification of root feeding insects and Leptographium species recovered from trapped insects.

 3rd year (FY 2006) Complete risk maps, install 12 plots on Crockett NF and 12 plots on Tuskegee NF, and install pitfall traps.- identify trapped insects and associated fungi.

Additions or changes: PTIPS project ends in FY06. Funds requested from Forest Health Monitoring-EM project to root sample and identify fungi in FY06 & 07.

FHP Person(s) Leading the Project: Nolan Hess, Plant Pathologist and Roger Menard, Biological Science Technician

Cooperators (names and locations):

 School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

 Forest Health Monitoring Program, Pineville, LA

 Kisatchie National Forest, Pineville, LA

 National Forests in Mississippi, Jackson, MS

 National Forests in Texas, Lufkin, TX

 National Forests in Alabama, Montogomery, AL

First Year Funded (Enter N/A if this is a new proposal): FY 2004

Year Scheduled to End: FY 2006

Year Data will be Loaded/Entered into National Database Structure: FHM crown rating and tree measurements data collected in FY 2004 from 24 plots were sent as a digital format Excel spreadsheet. FY2005 FHM Crown data is attached as a Excel spreadsheet.

Brief Description of Proposed Accomplishment and Results (either tabular or narrative): 24 plots installed and data being sent for entry (FY 2004). 24 plots to be installed in FY 2006.

Documentation Associated with Study (Literature Cited):

Eckhardt, L.G. 2003. Biology and ecology of Leptographium species and their vectors as

components of loblolly pine decline. Ph.D. Dissertation. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University.

Hess, N.J.; Otrosina, W.J.; Carter, E.A.; Steinman, J.R.; Jones, J.P.; Eckhardt, L.G.;

Weber, A.M.: Walkinshaw, C.H.. 2002. Assessment of loblolly pine decline in central Alabama. In: Outcalt, K.W., ed. Proceedings of the eleventh biennial southern silvicultural research conference; 2001 March 20-21; Knoxville, TN. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 558-564.

Funds Obligated from Beginning to Present Time: FY 2004-FY05, $61,000.