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A Dendrochronological Analysis of Red Oak Borer Abundance

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Unprecedented outbreaks of red oak borer (Enaphalodes rufulus Haldemann) have occurred in the lower Midwestern United States. Although generally not a mortality agent, red oak borer appears to contribute to general oak decline and mortality. The objective of this project was to explore dendrochronology as a means of determining the role of tree age, tree growth and climate in long-term red oak borer activity and to quantify the historic importance of red oak borer. In a Quercus (oak) dominated forest in Missouri, 31 oak trees were sampled and dendrochronological methods used to develop a red oak borer chronology. Borer activity in the stand has increased over the past 70 years with large increases occurring over the last 25 years. The abundance of wounds was related to tree age, ring width, annual mean temperature, and annual mean minimum temperature. Red oak borer wound abundance was not related to tree basal area increment, mean maximum temperature nor precipitation.

Parent Publication

Citation

Muzika, Rose-Marie; Guyette, Richard P. 2004. A Dendrochronological Analysis of Red Oak Borer Abundance. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-73. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 102-105
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6505