{"id":196718,"date":"2025-09-03T11:40:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T11:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/196718\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T11:40:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T11:40:14","slug":"tree-killing-invasive-fungal-disease-reaches-ny-this-is-cny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/196718\/","title":{"rendered":"Tree-killing, invasive fungal disease reaches NY \u2013 This is CNY"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Tree-killing, invasive fungal disease arrives in NY Dark streaks appear on the sapwood of a sassafras tree, indications of laurel wilt, a fungal disease introduced by an invasive beetle. Laurel Wilt was detected in NY state for the first time in July. (Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service\/Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service) <\/p>\n

An invasive fungal disease that targets trees and shrubs in the laurel family was detected for the first time in New York in July, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.<\/p>\n

The disease, called laurel wilt, was discovered in the village of Northport, Long Island when a homeowner sent a sample of their dying sassafras tree for testing at Cornell University\u2019s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe detection of laurel wilt on Long Island marks a troubling new chapter in the spread of this invasive plant disease,\u201d DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. \u201cDEC is collaborating with our conservation partners to understand the extent of impacted trees, evaluate control options, and launch public outreach to increase awareness about laurel wilt and how to report it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurel wilt is a fungal pathogen that is spread by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, which introduces the fungus when it tunnels into the stems and branches of host plants, leaving behind spores, DEC said.<\/p>\n

Originating in Asia and first identified in the U.S. in Georgia in 2002, laurel wilt is now widespread in many southeastern states. Prior to New York\u2019s detection, the northernmost cases were in Kentucky and Virginia.<\/p>\n

In New York, native species at risk are sassafras and spicebush. Despite its name, mountain laurel is not in this family and is not impacted by the disease. <\/p>\n

However, the loss of sassafras and spicebush could have wide-ranging impacts on southern New York\u2019s forests and wildlife, DEC said. Both species provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and mammals. <\/p>\n

Spicebush berries are also a critical fall food source for migratory birds, while the leaves of both spicebush and sassafras support the larvae of native butterflies such as the spicebush swallowtail, DEC said. <\/p>\n

\"\"Tree-killing, invasive fungal disease arrives in NY A dead sassafras tree on Long Island, killed by laurel wilt, a fungal disease spread by an invasive beetle that was detected for the first time in NY in July. (Abby Marino, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area \/Abby Marino, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area) <\/p>\n

The decline of either of these plant species would reduce forest diversity, weaken natural food webs, and increase native forest susceptibility to invasive plants, DEC said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re collaborating closely with our partners to respond to this detection of laurel wilt on Long Island,\u201d state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said. “<\/b>As we continue to learn more about the spread of this harmful plant disease and how to control it, we\u2019re also working to increase awareness of this find and encouraging the public to report any sightings.\u201d <\/b> <\/p>\n

Signs and symptoms of laurel wilt include:<\/b><\/p>\n