Invasive Pests and Pathogens

Invasives pests and pathogens pose a major threat to our Urban Forest, trees, and the local ecosystem at large. If you believe you have seen or found an invasive pest, plant or pathogen, we encourage you to report it to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) here. If you see these invasives on public trees or in our parks, please also contact the City. 

The list of pests and pathogens below is not a comprehensive list and will change over time. We are highlighting the largest threats to our urban forest. For a full list of invasive threats, please check the MDAR website here: https://massnrc.org/pests/factsheets.htm and the MA DCR list here: Current Forest Health Threats | Mass.gov

Invasive Insects

Invasive Pathogens

  • Beech Leaf Disease (spread by foliar-feeding nematodes - microscopic roundworms)
  • White Pine Needlecast (native fungal pathogens, but due to climate change their impact and damage is increasing)
  • Oak Wilt (Spreading in Northeast, not yet seen in MA)
  • Sudden Oak Death (Currently only seen on West Coast, mainly California)

 

Page last updated:  Thursday, February 27, 2025 10:49 am