Budworms ravaged Maine's forests for years. They're starting to come back.

An aerial survey revealed 3,000 acres of Maine's forests damaged by spruce budworm in July, with 178,000 acres at risk next spring. The state uses early intervention to prevent an outbreak similar to the one from 1967 to 1993 that devastated millions of acres.

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This story highlights the threat posed by the eastern spruce budworm, echoing concerns seen elsewhere with different budworm species and other forest pests.> Recent posts from Alaska described a large-scale infestation of the western blackheaded budworm in the Tongass National Forest. Observers noted widespread defoliation, primarily affecting hemlock but also moving onto spruce trees. While considered part of a natural cycle, the outbreak lingered significantly in areas like Juneau, impacting hundreds of thousands of acres. Although that specific outbreak may now be declining, allowing for potential forest recovery, the observations show the scale these events can reach and the potential influence of climate factors (Scientists say Tongass trees could bounce back).> Furthermore, the economic and ecological concerns raised in Maine resonate with broader challenges faced by North American forests. A post from British Columbia highlighted the changing nature of Canada's forest supply, where factors including insect infestations (like the mountain pine beetle) and climate change are impacting timber availability and leading to production cuts.> These related observations underscore the importance of the monitoring and early intervention strategies described in Maine for managing potentially devastating forest pest outbreaks.