video

Japanese Knotweed: Why & How to Control this Invasive

Identify these non-native invasive plants, learn why to minimize knotweeds, and how to do so — timing, technique, and resources. With consistency and cooperation, control of knotweed in NW Pennsylvania is possible — please get involved!

Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) degrades water quality, native habitat, and reduces property values due to its perennial, spreading habit.  Japanese Knotweed ruptures through concrete and foundations, and in some countries (e.g. Britain), render afflicted properties unsellable.  The three varieties of Japanese Knotweed in Pennsylvania contribute nothing to our ecosystem, but can all be dealt with in the same way:  consistent chemical treatment over several years or seasonal sessions.  Once under control, landowners should overplant with competitive native plants, and continue monitoring and maintenance. 

Useful links and contact information for our presenters, who can advise on or perform Japanese Knotweed control:

This video was produced in conjuction with the Penn State Extension Renewable Natural Resources Team and funded by a grant from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.  Filmed and edited by Wild Excellence Films, who also partially donated services.  Thank you to all involved for supporting this project!

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Apheloria virginiensis millipede

orange & black milipede

Apheloria virginiensis  – a “large” millipede

This fellow was spotted on Camp Trail, Cook Forest State Park, in May of 2019. He’s a member of the Xystodesmidae, a family of millipedes which was named by O. F. Cook (no relation!) in 1895.

They don’t bite, and they don’t sting.  But, according to Wikipedia, this 2-inch-plus orange & black flat-backed millipede has been “reported to secrete cyanide compounds as a defense” – so don’t touch it!  If you have touched it, make sure to wash your hands, since “the toxic compounds it secretes are poisonous and can cause extreme irritation if rubbed in the eyes.”  

Otherwise, these insects are harmless, and beneficial.  They love damp forest floors strewn with rotting wood and host to mosses and fungi.  The millipedes eat these things, and are an important part of the forest life cycle. 

Learn EVEN MORE about Apheloria virginiensis

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March in Cook Forest

Last year the Bureau of Forestry, with the CFC and interested landowners, treated a number of the streamside hemlocks to prevent infection by HWA (hemlock woolly adelgid).

This stretch of Tom’s Run is near Shelter #1, off Forest Road. The blow-down is from last year – there has been substantially less wind damage so far in 2019.

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