Near historic rainfall across much of Minnesota between April and August is good news for the forests but has put additional strain on trees.
A very wet spring helped spread microscopic fungi carrying common leaf diseases including Marssonia leaf blight on aspen and bur oak blight.
The DNR advises leaf pathogens don't appear to be harmful to trees' overall health.
"They certainly make the tree look unhealthy, but healthy trees will fully leaf-out the following spring," the DNR stated in a newsletter.
The last several years of droughts will also impact trees’ growth for years to come, with some of the fall colors already seen this year attributed to the previous year’s drought.
The DNR recommends leaving trees with damaged leaves alone this fall, noting the forests needed rain after several years of deficits.
Dying branch tips on oak trees may indicate bigger problems, like root damage, insect infestations or oak decline. The DNR reports people should consider hiring a professional arborist if they're experiencing oak decline.
Funding for this environmental story was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
-
Contributed/Sora Shimazaki via PexelsNinth Judicial District Judge Eric Schieferdecker admonished Bidal Duran Jr. in a memo, where he accused Duran of lying and referred to his conduct as "insidious." -
Contributed/Essentia HealthThe Duluth campus, which focuses on rural and Native health care, will expand to a full-term program amid plans for a new campus in the medical district near downtown. -
Contributed/Minnesota Women in ConservationMinnesota Women in Conservation connects women land stewards with each other and conservation resources. It will host a learning circle at Sampaguita in Aitkin on Dec. 10. -
Contributed/Minnesota DNREvents this week include a book release party in Brainerd, an MS support group in Grand Rapids, contra dance in Bemidji and theater auditions in Pequot Lakes and Grand Rapids. -
Contributed/Tammy BobrowskyChildren's librarian Tracy Kampa and “What We're Reading” producer and librarian Tammy Bobrowsky discuss Jasmine Warga's new book “A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall.” -
The Duluth campus, which focuses on rural and Native health care, will expand to a full-term program amid plans for a new campus in the medical district near downtown. -
Plus: Whooping cough cases reach 10-year high in Minnesota; and bear researchers are asking outdoorsy folks to report dens in the Brainerd, Duluth areas.
-
Contributed/Deanne TrottierKAXE Staff Phenologist John Latimer provides his weekly assessment of nature in Northern Minnesota. This is the week of Dec. 3, 2024. -
Contributed/Pam DowellThis week, we want to hear about your favorite ornament or holiday decoration. Why is it special to you? -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe recent discovery near Babbitt of the richest deposit of helium ever found in the world is one thing prompting officials to begin establishing a framework for these new industries.
