Forest Snapshot January 2026

Important Dates

Join forestry experts for a one-day update on forest health, including current insect, disease, and invasive plant issues affecting Pennsylvania's forests.

The Forest Health, Insect, and Disease Briefing will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 from 10 am to 3:30 pm, with an option pesticide core talk from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. More information and to register.

An abbreviated virtual option is also available on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 from 8:30 am to 11 am. More information or to register for the Forest Health, Insect, and Disease Update and Core.

Forest Health

Based on last year's data, overall spongy moth populations appear to be declining across much of the state. However, there may still be localized pockets of high population density. Landowners should take the time to survey their property for egg masses to determine if treatment may be necessary. Winter leaf-off conditions help you get more accurate counts of egg masses on your trees. Use binoculars to look up into the canopy in sheltered locations. 'Guide to Spongy Moth Egg Mass Surveying' article can walk you through the steps of surveying for spongy moth egg masses.

If you determine that spongy moth densities may be high on your property this year, 'Preparing for High Spongy Moth Densities' article will guide you through a variety of options, from small-scale, individual tree control to large-scale chemical control.

Native Species

Over the winter, many trees in Pennsylvania are dormant and leafless as a strategy to shield against winter conditions. The combination of warming daytime temperatures with freezing nighttime temperatures causes pressure changes within a tree and, as a result, the movement of sap. During this time, the sap from maple trees can be collected for maple syrup production. Sugar maple is the preferred species for syrup with the highest sugar content, but the sap of red maple (pictured above), is commonly collected. The movement of sap is an indication for the tree that spring is imminent. Red maples are among the first trees to end dormancy by producing chemicals that initiate the breaking of their flower buds. Small reddish flowers in clusters will emerge in late winter to early spring across Pennsylvania. At this time, maples will naturally produce off-flavored "buddy sap" due to the change in sap makeup during bud break, signaling the end of syrup production for the year.

Pennsylvania is ranked 6th in the nation for maple syrup production with an estimated 196,000 gallons produced in 2025 (USDA/NASS QuickStats). Over the next few months, as our forests start to wake up, keep an eye out for red maples as they dot the landscape with the year's first flowers and enjoy fresh syrup from your local maple producer.

To learn more about Red Maple, see our recent Extension article titled "Native Plants of PA: Red Maple (Acer rubrum)".

Wildlife and Insects

Soon, Bald eagles, great horned owls, and barred owls will be sitting on nests, warming their eggs. American woodcocks, or “timberdoodles”, will begin returning in late February.

By late February, some male woodchucks emerge from their burrows, where they've hibernated since late October or early November. Also known as groundhogs or whistle pigs, woodchucks are one of the only mammals that enter into true hibernation. Similarly, snakes are in a state of greatly reduced metabolism called brumation. This slowed state is comparable to hibernation in mammals, though brumating reptiles are not in a deep physiological sleep and will sometimes emerge to eat or drink on unseasonably warm days.