Global trade continues to increase in volume, speed, geographic scope, diversity of goods, and types of conveyances, which has resulted in a parallel increase in both quantity and types of pathways available for plant pests to move via trade. Wood packaging material (WPM) such as dunnage, pallets, crates, and spools, is an integral part of the global supply chain due to its function in containing, protecting, and supporting th...

Trichonephila clavata , also known as the Jorō spider, was first discovered in Georgia, USA in 2014. Its arrival from Asia and subsequent range expansion across the southeastern U.S. has received much media coverage, spanning from factual to sensational. Here, we describe T. clavata 's invasion potential and known invasive range, and review its biology, dispersal abilities, potential impacts, and management strategies. As of O...

Southern pine forests are important fiber and wood sources, and critical to local, regional, and national economies in the United States. Recently, certain areas of southern pine forests, especially those dominated by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), have been reported to exhibit abnormally high levels of tree dieback and mortality. However, causal agents either have not been well defined or are controversial in their impacts on t...

Winter ice storms frequently occur in the southeastern United States and can severely damage softwood plantations. In January 2004, a severe storm deposited approximately 2 cm of ice on an intensively managed 4-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation in South Carolina. Existing irrigation and fertilization treatments presented an opportunity to examine the effects of resource amendments on initial ice damage and sub...