The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released an update on the health of the state's forests, including threats posed by insects and diseases.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's 20 million acres of forest land supports recreation, forest products and other industries while providing crucial wildlife habitat.
The MDNR report outlines efforts to control spruce budworm, a pest that periodically defoliates spruce and fir forests. It says infestations probably will increase over the next 10 years. Experts are looking for high-risk areas in state forests.
Another problem is the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that kills hemlock trees. It turned up in the west-central Lower Peninsula in 2015. State agencies are working on a strategy to contain it.
The report describes other health issues and research underway to deal with them.
