Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut

Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut (TCD) is...

...an exotic invasive disease, caused by the fungal species Geosmithia morbida, that is currently causing alarming mortality of black walnut (Juglans nigra) trees in the western states.  The disease is transmitted by the walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis,  and usually leads to tree death within a few years of infection.

How would the introduction of TCD impact North Dakota?

• It would potentially lead to the loss of another tree species that grows relatively well in some urban and rural areas of North Dakota.

How can citizens prevent the introduction of TCD?

• To prevent the spread of this invasive pathogen, do not move diseased wood, or wood that may harbor the walnut twig beetle that carries the fungus (The beetle can be present in all parts of the tree, not just the twigs).
• As always, do not move wood of any kind great distances, and certainly do not move untreated wood of any kind into the state of North Dakota from outside its borders.
• Movement of black walnut wood without the bark and disposal of walnut scrap wood by burning it are appropriate actions for limiting the spread of TCD.

More information about Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut: http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/palerts/cankers_disease/thousand_cankers_disease_screen_res.pdf