Forest Health Walk, Stop 6

Spongy Moth (formerly known as Gypsy moth)

Look up, and you may see that some large trees are missing their leaves.

In 2020, many oak trees in this forest were attacked by spongy moth, which is an invasive insect that eats all the oak leaves and may also attack other tree species. The spongy moth denudes and weakens trees, sometimes killing the trees.

Although it is not good for forest health if a pest kills many trees, a few dead trees can offer a potential benefit in a forest with trees of the same age and height. A few bare, dead trees will allow more sunlight to reach the ground and help sapling trees to grow.

Continue about 100 feet to a small body of water and Stop 7. You will notice other dead oak trees along the way.