MITPPC blog

Image of emerald ash borer on a branch, micrograph of sound wood and micrograph of decayed wood

Fungi contribute to loss of structural strength in trees attacked by emerald ash borer

April 4, 2023

University of Minnesota scientists have discovered that when an ash tree is attacked by emerald ash borer, fungi quickly colonize and threaten the tree's structural integrity.

photograph of palmer amaranth growing in an agricultural field with deciduous trees in the background

Announcing 10 new research projects

February 1, 2023

We’re excited to announce the start of 10 new research projects in January, 2023. Funding has been provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Minnesota State Capital building in St. Paul, MN. The sky is clear and blue and there are red flowers on the lawn in front of the building.

$6.23 Million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund fuels terrestrial invasive species research at the University of Minnesota

June 7, 2022

The renewed support allows the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Pests and Plants Center to continue fostering the health of Minnesota's natural, cultural, and agricultural resources.

Brian Aukema inspects cut logs with damage from mountain pine beetle.

Expecting the mountain pine beetle

June 3, 2022

MITPPC-funded researchers are preparing for the impending arrival of a top threat to Minnesota’s trees.

elms

Survivor elms

March 29, 2022

MITPPC-funded researchers are strategically wrangling the charismatic trees’ innate ability to fend off Dutch elm disease.

An image of an ash tree's leaves, which show damage from emerald ash borer. Around 2/3 of the leaves are green and the rest are brown and shriveled. The tree is against a clear blue sky.

Catch emerald ash borer before it infests new trees

March 8, 2022

Emerald ash borer is a top-ranked invasive species at MITPPC because of its severe economic and ecological impacts. Learn more about what you can do to help slow its spread. 

Rob Venette

A letter from the Director: 2021 in review

December 14, 2021

All of us in MITPPC wish you the happiest of holidays and a smooth 2022.

Amy Morey

Morey joins board of directors at NAISMA

November 17, 2021

The appointment brings MITPPC's outcome-oriented research to continental-scale efforts to improve invasive species management and outreach.

Canker fungi Rajtar used for research

Rooted in research

October 26, 2021

Nick Rajtar develops new tools for closing in on evasive tree pathogens in the field and in the lab.

Stacked logs

What’s hiding in that firewood?

October 25, 2021

Familiarize yourself with the invasive species that may be traveling around the state inside that bundle you bought.