Forest Health
Kentucky's forests consist of two main types: oak/hickory and oak/pine. Various species of hardwoods are very common, such as cherry, hickory, maple, oak, walnut, and yellow-poplar. However, there are some areas of pine forests as well, including eastern white, loblolly, pitch, and Virginia pine species. The threats to our forests are almost as diverse as our trees.
The Forest Health Highlights covers the most influential of these threats and their recent impacts on the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The Division of Forestry's forest health program focuses on identifying and monitoring for potential insect, disease, invasive and exotic plant problems that threaten our forestlands.
Emerald Ash Borer
One of the most recent threats to Kentucky's rural and urban forests is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This insect was initially discovered in Kentucky in 2009.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) has now been found in 30 eastern and southeastern counties - see map below.
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