Forest Health
Effective beginning 6/02/2025
This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency is under review and content may change.
Allegheny Forest Health Collaborative
Forest ecosystems in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York are threatened by a number of native and introduced forest pests and pathogens. Given the continued expansion of significant, damaging invasive forest insects, diseases, plants and animals on the Allegheny National Forest, and the intermingled nature of forest land ownerships across that landscape, a collaborative approach to addressing forest health issues on the High Allegheny Unglaciated Plateau would be appropriate.
In March 2017, the Allegheny National Forest invited representatives from federal, state, local agencies; members of the timber and oil and gas organizations; recreation groups; and other stakeholders to participate in this collaborative.
- ANF Forest Health Composite Strategies Table (developed at the September 7, 2017, meeting) (pdf)
- Compiled Threats Template (Groups 1-8) as of September 7, 2017 (pdf)
- ANF Strategy Responses (consolidated)(pdf)
- AJ - Age Class (pdf)
- DEF - Invasives (pdf)
- DEF - Non-Native Invasive Plants (pdf)
- GHI - Hazards (pdf)
- BC - Black Cherry (pdf)
- C - NEPA (pdf)
Annual Report
- 2021 Annual Report (pdf)
- 2020 Annual Report (pdf)
- 2019 Annual Report (pdf)
- 2018 Annual Report (pdf)
General information about the Forest Health Collaborative
- List of participating members (pdf)
- Collaborative Working Agreement - Final (pdf)
- ANF Vegetation Project Planning Process (pdf)
View General Information Documents
Integrated Buckthorn Treatment Strategy
- Integrated Landscape Strategy for the Priority Suppression of Buckthorn Allegheny Plateau Project (pdf)
- Glossy Buckthorn Project Map (pdf)
Products/Booklet for Phase 1
Full Booklet
Resource Information, Databases, and Maps
- ANF Biophysical Considerations (pdf)
- ANF Forest Health Summary Briefing Paper (pdf)
- Composite Risk Map (pdf)
- Projected Percent basal area Loss for all Pests (pdf)
- What is a Hydrologic Unit (html)
- Projected Total Basal Loss by Hydrologic Unit Code 12 Watershed (pdf)
- Composite Pest Count (pdf)
- Allegheny National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and Associated Monitoring Reports (html) ANF Planning Documents - includes all Forest Plan documents, maps, and associated Final Environmental Impact Statement. Also includes link for all Forest Plan implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Reports, including most recent 2008-2013 report.
- USDA Forest Service Forest Health Monitoring Reports (html)
- Allegheny National Forest Project Planning and Implementation - Allegheny National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) (html) - link to all ongoing, recently completed or about to begin project level planning (which includes all vegetation management projects)
- Allegheny National Forest Projects (html) - narrative summary of all ongoing projects on the ANF.
- ANF Geospatial Data (html)- downloadable geospatial data in the form of shape files with attribute tables.
- Forest Health Protection Mapping and Reporting Tools (html)
- Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry Forest Health, Insect, and Disease Briefing (html).
- USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, Pest Alerts.
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Insects and Disease index (html)
- USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (html) (FHTET) National Insect and Disease Risk Models - ANF, Northern Research Station, and State and Private Forestry staff worked with FHTET staff to scale down the national risk models to the ANF, using ANF stand inventory data. This link is for the national risk modeling effort completed in 2012 (used in ANF designation as a treatment area under the 2014 Farm Bill).
- USDA Forest Service FHTET National insect and disease risk models (html)- downloadable maps and data.
- USDA Forest Service FHTET National insect and disease risk model map viewer (html)
- Forest Health Risk Mapping Process (pdf)
Reference Maps
- 212GA - Composite Greater than 25 percent of total Basal Area Loss for All Pests (pdf)
- 212Ga Composite percent of total Basal Area loss for all Pests (pdf)
- 212Ga - Composite BA loss for all Pests (pdf)
- 212GA Composite Pest Count (pdf)
- Composite Risk Map with Host Species Layers (pdf)
- Insect and Disease Activity 1993-2016 (pdf)
- Risk Map Modeling Assumptions (pdf)
Threats
- Threats to Forest Values (pdf)
- Threat Matrix (pdf)
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) has been experiencing the impacts from a multitude of native and non-native invasive species, along with declining health of many forest areas in recent years. This has affected achieving some of the vegetation conditions in the Forest Plan.
Because of the continued expansion of significant, damaging invasive forest insects, diseases, and plants on the ANF, and the intermingled nature of forest land ownership's across that landscape, a collaborative approach was determined as the best way to address forest health issues on the High Allegheny Unglaciated Plateau. The ANF initiated a Forest Health Collaborative on March 29. Nearly 50 organizations from federal, tribal, state, elected officials, local land management agencies, timber, oil and gas, recreation and tourism industries were represented.
Subsequent meetings became more focused, with the collaborative tasked with identifying specific threats and developing strategies to address each threat. Initially, five threats were identified, then three additional threats were added. Strategies for the last three threats are being developed. The collaborative should finish their work by early November and the facilitator will submit recommendations to the Forest Supervisor by the end of the year.
Threat: The ANF is an even-aged, overly mature forest. Failing to regenerate declining forest areas and diversify the age of forest vegetation on the ANF poses a threat to sustaining a diversity of wildlife habitats, maintaining forest resilience, providing interspersion of forest ages and forest types, and returning economic values to local communities.
Strategies: Considering larger continuous areas of regeneration (not being limited to small 40 acres oasis type projects) for better regeneration results. Consider shelterwood and regeneration harvest instead of intermediate thinning treatments. Consider accelerating pace of forest regeneration activities to more quickly balance overall age classes in Management Area 3.0.
View Threats to Age Class Documents and Tools
- Threats to Age Class Distribution (pdf)
- Threat Matrix for Age Class Distribution (pdf), revised September 7, 2017
Tools
- Age Class Summary by Management Area (pdf)
- Age Class Distribution Summary (pdf)
- Allegheny National Forest Summary Age Classes and Approved Regeneration Treatments (pdf)
- Map: Age Class by Hydrologic Unit Code 12 (pdf)
- Regeneration Treatments overlay (pdf)
- Ongoing and Nearing Projects (pdf)
- Project Area Boundaries (pdf)
- Management Areas (pdf)
Team
- Andrea Hille, Allegheny National Forest
- Brad Nelson, Kinzua Quality Deer Coop
- Dave Gustafson, PA State Game Commission
- Josh Hanson, Allegheny National Forest
- Kimberly Bohn, Penn State Cooperative Extension
- Liz Krug, PA State Snowmobile Association
- Mary Hosmer, Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
- Mike Messina, Penn State University
- Mitch Blake, National Wild Turkey Federation
- Susan Stout, USFS Northern Research Station
- Tom Kase, Kane Harwood
- Wayne Bender, PA Hardwood Development Council
This species is experiencing fewer seed crops and seedling regeneration challenges, defoliation from the fall webworm and cherry scallop shell moth, a native forest pest.
View Threats to Black Cherry Documents
- Threats to Black Cherry (pdf)
- Threat Matrix for Black Cherry (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Team
- Andrea Hille, USFS Allegheny National Forest
- Bill Oldland, USFS State and Private Forestry, Forest Protection
- Susan Stout, USFS Northern Research Station
- Susan Swanson, Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group
- Tim Tomon, PA Bureau of Forestry
Threat: Within 15 years, 80% to 100% mortality of ash trees due to emerald ash borer is anticipated on the ANF. Within 5 years, 80% of ash trees that have died from EAB will fall or break. Falling trees will affect safety near oil wells, roads and trails.
Strategies: Expedite timber sales focused on recovering economic value of dying ash trees. Evaluate the specific timber harvesting allowances for various management areas as denoted in the Forest Plan.
View Threat to Ash Documents and Tools
- Threat to Ash (pdf)
- Threat Matrix for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Tools
- Summaries of ash volume in projects that will harvest ash spreadsheet (pdf)
- Map of treated ash trees on the ANF (pdf)
- Ash parasitoid Scoping (pdf)
- Ash parasitoid release (pdf) Categorical Exclusion
- Ash seed tree map (pdf)
- Silvicultural guidance to address Beech Bark Disease; Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock woolly adelgid (pdf)
- Allegheny National Forest Inventoried Ash Summary Spreadsheet (pdf)
Team
- Adam Elms, PennDot District 1
- Arthur Stewart, Pennsylvania Grade Crude Coalition
- John Murdock, Potter Lumber
- Tim Tomon, PA Bureau of Forestry
Threat: Every loss of a species reduces resilience. How do we maintain diversity or replace lost species? There are also additional forest health threats not yet observed on the ANF, such as sudden oak death, Asian long-horned beetle to consider.
Strategies: Consider supplemental planting research with alternatives to declining tree species. Think about what species to replace (ash, black cherry, etc.). Create and maintain resilience, taking into consideration various factors to include climate change, threatened species, impacts on water flow, silviculture outcomes and management and pest management.
View Threats to Loss of Diversity Documents and Tools
- Threats to Loss of Diversity (pdf)
- Threat Matrix for Loss of Diversity (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Tools
- Forest Type map (pdf)
- Non-Native Invasive plants known to occur on the ANF (pdf)
- Glossy Buckthorn infestations known to occur on the ANF (pdf)
- Silviculture to address Beech Bark Disease; Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (pdf)
- Mapping special or resistant trees on the ANF (pdf)
- Silvicultural guidance to address Beech Bark Disease; Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock woolly adelgid (pdf)
Team
- Allyson Muth, Penn State Center for Private Forests
- Bill Oldland, State and Private Forestry, Forest Protection
- Elyse Henshaw, Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Threat: Impacts riparian areas, streams, watersheds, aesthetics and wildlife. In addition, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) has been present in the region since 2013.
Strategies: Protect the hemlock population and habitat. Identify areas to mitigate impact of hemlock mortality from pest disturbances and consider replacing ecosystem services provided by eastern hemlock by replanting. Use bio-controls for hemlock woolly adelgid in conjunction with chemical treatments.
Threat to Loss of Hemlock Documents and Tools
- Threat to Loss of Hemlock (pdf)
- Threat Matrix for Hemlock (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Tools
- High Value Hemlock Conservation Areas (html)
- Links for High Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau Hemlock Conservation Strategy (html)
- Priority Areas shapefile (html)
- The information document (html) that should always accompany the data can be accessed through the Description section of the web map home page, the Description section of the priority areas shapefile home page.
- A map of HWA treatments completed to date on the ANF (pdf) (noting that Cooks Forest and Allegheny State Park have both been completing hemlock treatment for HWA infestations since 2014)
- A table of potential hemlock replacement species (pdf)
- Silvicultural guidance to address Beech Bark Disease; Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock woolly adelgid (pdf)
Team
- Bill Oldland, USFS, State and Private Forestry, Forest Protection
- Kimberly Bohn, Penn State Coop Extension
- Mary Hosmer, PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
- Matt Marusiak, Western PA Conservancy
- Peter Hoagland, NRCS
- Susan Stout, Northern Research Station
- Tim Tomon, PA Bureau of Forestry
The region is experiencing numerous invasive plant and animal species that are posing immediate and looming threats to the health of the forest. Insect threats include spongy moth, beech bark disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, sirex woodwasp, emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle, spotted lanternfly, elongate hemlock scale, winter moth, oak wilt, white pine decline, and beech leaf disease.
- Threat Matrix for Non-Native Invasive Insects and Diseases (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Invasive Species (Group 7)
| Non-Native Invasive Insects - Immediate Threat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spongy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, sirex woodwasp, and emerald ash borer | Both | Monitor population trends and impacts of species known to occur on Allegheny Plateau. |
| Spongy moth | Both |
|
| Non-Native Invasive Insects - Looming Threat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Asian long-horned beetle, spotted lanternfly, elongate hemlock scale (see Hemlock group), winter moth, oak wilt, white pine decline and beech leaf disease | LT | Monitor for multiple species threats not yet confirmed on Allegheny Plateau. Early detection for rapid response. |
| Oak wilt | Both |
|
| White pine decline | Both |
|
Team
- Bill Oldland, USFS State and Private Forestry, Forest Protection
- Don Eggen, PA Bureau of Forestry
- Sarah Johnson, PA Bureau of Forestry
The most threatening invasive plant species on the Allegheny National Forest is buckthorn, which has been found on nearly 20,000 acres of the southern half of the ANF. Like many non-native shrubs, buckthorn leafs out early in spring and retains its leaves late into fall, shading out spring wildflowers and tree seedlings. Once established, buckthorn is very difficult to eradicate.
- Threats Matrix for Non-Native Invasive Plants (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Invasive Species (Group 8)
| Non-Native Invasive Plants (Buckthorn Group combined) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-native invasive plants: Known and potential infestation of non-native invasive plants. List posted to ANF collaborative website | Both | Monitor |
| Buckthorn is a threat to wildlife habitat and understory health (regen) | U in SE; L elsewhere | |
Team
- Adam Elms, PennDot District 1
- Allyson Muth, Penn State Center for Private Forests
- Bruce Snyder, Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA)
- Kimberly Bohn, Penn State Coop Extension
- Kirk Johnson, Friends of Allegheny Wilderness
- Peter Hoagland, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)
Threat: Hazard trees along travel corridors affect public safety, roadways, utility infrastructure, etc.
Strategies: Create a monitoring and trail maintenance plan. Develop a system for recording concerns from forest users. Develop a communication strategy to explain public safety concerns caused by these hazard trees and what’s being done to address them.
View threat to Safety and Aesthetics Documents and Tools
- Threat to Safety & Aesthetics along multi-modal corridors (pdf)
- Threat Matrix for Safety & Aesthetics (pdf) revised September 7, 2017
Tools
- ANF Power lines, Pipelines and Railroads (pdf)
- ANF Scenic Integrity Objective Overlay (pdf)
- ANF Scenic Travel-way Concern Levels (pdf)
- ANF Trails (pdf)
- ANF Base Map (pdf)
- ANF Management Area (pdf)
- Developed Recreation Sites and Dispersed Campsites (pdf)
- Roads On the Allegheny National Forest (pdf)
Team
- Bob Kirchner, Allegheny Forest Alliance
- Cecile Stelter, PA Bureau of Forestry
- Elyse Henshaw, Roger Tory Peterson Institute
- John Weyant, ANF
- Ken Kane, Generations Forestry
- Peter Kempf, PennDot District 2
Initial Collaborative Establishment Meetings
When: 10:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Days Inn (formerly Holiday Inn), 210 Ludlow St., Warren, PA
- Agenda (pdf)
- Minutes (pdf)
- ANF Forest Health Composite Strategies Table (pdf) (developed at the September 7, 2017 meeting)
- ANF Response to threats and strategies (Consolidated)(pdf)AJ Age Class (pdf)
- DEF Invasives (pdf)
- DEF Non-Native Invasive Plants (pdf)
- GHI Hazards (pdf)
- C NEPA (pdf)
- BC Black Cherry (pdf)
When: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Days Inn (formerly Holiday Inn), 210 Ludlow St., Warren, PA
- Agenda (pdf)
- Meeting Minutes (pdf)
Updated Threats Matrices
- Age Class Distribution (pdf)
- EAB (pdf)
- Safety and Aesthetics along Multi-Modal Corridors (pdf)
- Loss of Diversity (pdf)
- Loss of Hemlock (pdf)
- Black Cherry (pdf)
- Non-Native Insects and Diseases (pdf)
- Non-Native Invasive Plants (pdf)
- Agenda (pdf)
- Draft Collaborative Agreement (pdf)
- Laws, Regulations and Policies (pdf)
- BioPhysical Considerations Slide Show (pdf)
- Meeting Minutes (pdf)
When: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Sheffield Lion’s Den, 4 South Main Street, Sheffield, PA.
- Map to the Sheffield Lion's Den (pdf)
- Agenda (pdf)
- Forest Health Risk Mapping Process (pdf)
- Minutes of the June 8, 2017 meeting (pdf)
When: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: PA Department of Transportation Engineering District 2-0
70 Penn DOT Drive, PO Box 342, Clearfield PA 16830
- Agenda (pdf)
- July 20, 2017 Meeting Minutes (pdf)
- Threats Matrix (pdf)
- Map to PennDot District 2-0