Thousand-cankers Disease in Arkansas

Thousand-cankers disease (Geosmithia morbida Kolařík, Freeland, Utley, and Tisserat (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)) is a fungal pathogen affecting most of the North American species of walnuts (Juglans L.). Some walnuts are moderately susceptible, but others such as black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) are highly susceptible. Thousand-cankers disease is unique among invasive pests in being, in a sense, a home-grown invasive pest. It is native to western North America. The fungus that causes thousand-cankers disease was first identified and reported in 2010. Based on descriptions of symptoms, it is suspected of killing walnut trees as far back as the early 1990′s. To date, the disease has not been found in Arkansas; but both black walnut and butternut (Juglans cinerea L.) are native to Arkansas.

	What is thousand-cankers disease? Thousand-cankers disease is a fungal disease spread by the walnut twig beetle Thousand-cankers disease is native to the western US but not to the eastern US Black walnut and butternut are highly susceptible to thousand-cankers disease Thousand-cankers disease was found in the eastern US in 2010 Thousand-cankers disease has not been found in Arkansas . . . yet Arkansas has established an external black walnut quarantine Image courtesy of Curtis Utley, CSUE, Bugwood.org Read more about thousand-cankers disease
	What are the symptoms of thousand-cankers disease? Thinning of the crown of black walnuts or butternuts Limbs dying in the top of black walnut or butternut trees Pin-head size entrance and exit holes Walnut twig beetle entrance holes surrounded by cankers on young twigs Walnut twig beetle galleries under the bark Image courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Read more about the symptoms of thousand-cankers disease
	Who spreads thousand-cankers disease? Thousand-cankers disease is spread by the walnut twig beetle Walnut twig beetle can be spread when infested nursery stock is moved Walnut twig beetle can be spread when infested walnut wood is moved Thousand-cankers disease can be moved when walnut firewood is moved Image courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Find out more about how thousand-cankers disease is spread
	How will thousand-cankers disease affect you? Loss of black walnut and maybe butternut from our ecosystems and yards Loss of a valuable forest resource for landowners Loss of a prized decorative wood Loss of a flavorful nut appreciated by many Image courtesy of Curtis Utley, CSUE, Bugwood.org Learn more about the impact of thousand-cankers disease on you
	What can we do about thousand-cankers disease? Do not import walnut nursery stock from states infested with thousand-cankers disease Do not import hardwood firewood from states infested with thousand-cankers disease Do not import unprocessed walnut wood from states infested with thousand-cankers disease Report any thousand-cankers disease symptoms in the walnut trees around you Image courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Learn to prevent the spread of thousand-cankers disease
	Where is thousand-cankers disease? Thousand-cankers disease is native to the southwestern US where in infests Arizona walnut Thousand-cankers disease has been confirmed in nine western states Thousand-cankers disease has been confirmed in six states in the native range of black walnut Thousand-cankers disease has not been confirmed in Arkansas Image courtesy of www.thousandcankers.com Find the locations of thousand-cankers disease infestations