Protect Tennessee Forests

Have you heard of the spongy moth? 🐛

Formerly known as the gypsy moth, this invasive pest has stripped the leaves from more than 95 million acres of hardwood forest across the northeastern U.S. since making its way over from Europe in 1869… and it's been creeping toward Tennessee at about four miles per year.

While individual individual spongy moths are found each year, so far Tennessee's proactive management efforts have prevented any established populations from taking hold. This is largely thanks to a steady, statewide trapping program that kicks off this month!

Starting in early May, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and partners place thousands of orange and green triangle-shaped traps across the state in a careful grid pattern. Each trap holds a scent that attracts male moths, and once they fly in, a thick layer of glue keeps them there. All summer long, staff check the traps and send any suspicious moths to forest health experts to be identified.

If monitoring indicates that there is a growing number of spongy moths in a given area, action is taken right away to prevent the population from expanding and establishing.

Catching moths early is everything! Even a few moths today can tell us where to focus, so we can stop a population before it ever takes hold across Tennessee's 14 million acres of forested land.

Learn more at www.tn.gov/protecttnforests/insects/gypsy-moth.html 🌲

The spongy moth may be small, but its life cycle is exactly what makes it such a forest threat. And the timing matters more than you might think! 🐛

Egg
Each summer, female spongy moths lay fuzzy, tan-colored egg clusters. Each one can hold 500 to 600 eggs! Females tuck these clusters onto tree bark, branches, lawn furniture, woodpiles and even the exterior of RVs… where they sit through fall and winter, waiting for spring.

Caterpillar
In mid-May, the eggs hatch and then tiny, fuzzy caterpillars emerge... and they are hungry! Over the next seven weeks, they grow up to 2¼ inches long and chew their way through the leaves of oak, maple, sweetgum and hundreds of other tree species.

Pupa
In early July, caterpillars have eaten their fill. They find a sheltered spot and form a cocoon. About two weeks later, they emerge as adult moths.

Adult Moth
By late July, adult moths appear. Males are brown with dark markings and flutter through the woods during the day, searching for a mate.

Females are white with a brown V-shape on their wings… and here's the surprising part - even though they have wings, they can't fly! After mating, females lay their egg clusters and the cycle starts all over again.

Want to help break the cycle? Keep an eye out for fuzzy, tan-colored egg clusters on outdoor furniture, firewood, vehicles and trailers… and report anything suspicious to the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Learn more and report spongy moth sightings at ProtectTNForests.org 🌲
www.tn.gov/protecttnforests/insects/gypsy-moth.html

Tennessee is home to 14 million acres of forested land and 16 state forests, each one teeming with life most people never stop to notice. 🌳

Fungi are among the thousands of species that call these woods home. And protecting these ecosystems means protecting the whole web of life within them!

Take these yellow patches mushrooms (Amanita flavoconia), found along a waterline in Middle Tennessee, for example. A young cap stands tall while a mature one spreads flat nearby.

These mycorrhizal fungi partner with conifers and oaks underground, trading nutrients in relationships that keep our forests thriving. Look but don't touch... this one's toxic!

Some forests stay forests because someone chose to keep them that way. 🌲

In Tennessee, 83 percent of our forested land is privately owned. That's millions of acres in the hands of families, farmers and individuals who care about their woods. But pressure to convert forests into other uses grows every year.

That's where the Forest Legacy Program (FLP) comes in.

The FLP is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. This program gives landowners a way to permanently protect their working forests while keeping the land in the family. Through conservation easements or land purchases, FLP makes sure forests can keep producing timber, supporting wildlife habitat, purifying water and supporting rural economies for generations.

The result? Working forests that stay working. Family land that stays in the family. Forests that stay forested. And a healthier Tennessee for everyone.

Own 20+ contiguous forested acres in Tennessee? Learn more about your options through the Forest Legacy Program at tn.gov/agriculture/forests/protection/legacy.html.

Deadline for application is 4:30 p.m. CDT on May 22, 2026.

To read a tree’s past, study the patterns in its rings. Sudden shifts in width can show drought, fire or insect damage. By observing these clues, you can learn how the forest responded to past events.

If you are seeing white flowers blooming along roadsides, forest edges and fence rows right now, take a closer look. You may be looking at a species of invasive privet or honeysuckle.

Invasive privet and honeysuckle species were introduced from Asia in the 1800s and have spread aggressively across the state ever since. They grow fast, leaf out early and form dense thickets that block sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

Over time, this shades out the native plants, wildflowers and tree seedlings that wildlife and ecosystems depend on.

The good news is that you can help. Spring flowering season is one of the easiest times to spot these plants before they set seed and spread further. Removal involves consistently cutting stems and treating stumps with herbicide over several seasons.

Heading out to enjoy Tennessee's forests this spring? 🌳

Our friends at the Tennessee Department of Health are sharing some important reminders about tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and alpha-gal syndrome... and we're passing them along!

Before you head into wooded or grassy areas:

➡️ Use an EPA-registered insect repellent
➡️ Wear long sleeves and pants when you can
➡️ Do a thorough tick check when you get back

TDH is urging Tennesseans to take action against tick-borne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, and alpha-gal syndrome. 🕷️

🛡️ Simple prevention tips:
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent
• Wear long sleeves & pants in wooded or grassy areas
• Check for ticks after outdoor activities

Stay safe while enjoying the outdoors! ☀️

Learn more: https://www.tn.gov/health/news/2026/4/29/-tennessee-department-of-health-urges-tennesseans-to-take-precautions-against-ticks.html.

Our Forest Health & Sustainability Unit team had a wonderful time representing the Division of Forestry at the Earth Day Party at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)... 🌎🌳

Between great conversations and curious questions, they had the chance to engage with 250 students about Tennessee's forests and why protecting them matters!

Events like these are some of our favorites. We love meeting the next generation of forest stewards and sharing the story of our 14 million acres of forested land.

Thanks for having us, MTSU!

Spotted lanternfly nymphs are hatching in Tennessee now!

This is a relatively new invasive insect emerging in Tennessee, and spring is the time to watch for the black and white spotted nymphs (immature insects).

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) was first detected in the United States in 2014. It was confirmed in Davidson and Wilson counties in 2023, and by 2025, additional infestations were confirmed in Sumner, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Sullivan counties. The Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF) actively monitors for this pest and encourages all residents to report potential sightings.

SLF feeds on the water and nutrients inside plants, producing a sticky byproduct called honeydew that coats surfaces beneath infested trees and promotes the growth of sooty mold. While this feeding does not immediately cause a tree to die, it stresses the plant and makes it more vulnerable to other insects, diseases, and environmental damage.

More than 70 plant species can be impacted, including apples, grapes, hops, maple, walnut, poplar, and a variety of fruit and ornamental trees. Orchards, vineyards, nurseries, and residential landscapes are all at risk.

SLF egg masses begin hatching in April, and early detection is one of the most powerful tools we have to slow the spread.

If you spot this insect or suspect an infestation, report it directly to TDF: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/report_a_pest