EDINBORO – The Northwest Pennsylvania Woodland Association will be hosting an educational program on non-native insects and plants that threaten the health of northwestern Pennsylvania forests.

The program will be held at Cornplanter Forest – Strawbridge Tract near Townville, Pa., on Aug. 23. DCNR Service Foresters will lead a walk through some of the State Forest to review treatments that have been applied to Hemlock trees to stem the spread of the woolly adelgid. Experts from Ecological Field Services will demonstrate actual treatments for various threats, including the emerald ash borer and spotted lanternfly and diseases like the beech bark and beech leaf diseases as well as invasive plants like multi-flora rose, honeysuckle, and japanese barberry.

“When my wife, Barb, and I first bought our woodland in 1986, it had a diversity of timber species that it’s clearly lacking today,” said Bill Benedict, association president. “Most of the changes were brought about by invasive insects attacking specific tree species. I believe that the best course of action to take in the midst of these threats is to stay connected to the resources available to us. Listen to the experts from our colleges and universities, and our expert PA Service Foresters. And that is who NWPWA is featuring at our August program.”

The program is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to noon at the Strawbridge Tract of the Cornplanter State Forest on Strawbridge Road north of Route 408 in Steuben, Pa. Admission is free. There will be time to ask questions of the forestry and invasives experts before and after the presentations. The annual picnic of the NWPWA will follow the program. For reservations email NWPAWoods@gmail.com or call Benedict at 814-881-4779.