Aspen two-leaf tier infestations were common in northern Alberta in 2005. Willow leafminer infestation in the Northeast Corporate Region continued in 2005. The ash leaf cone roller was found on ornamental ash in the Northeast Corporate Region. No gypsy moths were detected in the plots monitored by the SRD in 2005.

No Dutch elm disease infected trees were found in Alberta in 2005. The incidence of hypoxylon canker in the Cypress Hills Inter-provincial Park increased in 2005.

Hail damage affected about two thousand hectares of aspen in the Northwest Corporate Region.

Damage caused by a willow leafminer was extensive in the Northeast Region. An urban pest, the ash leaf cone caterpillar, was common in Edmonton; it was also reported from Ft. McMurray and Wandering River.

Climate-related disorders - drought and frost - affected trees over relatively large areas of forested Crown land in the Northwest Region. Drought kill was not as prevalent but still evident in the Northeast Region.

The gray willow leaf beetle populations that defoliated vast swath of willow in northeastern Alberta have declined. However, two consecutive years of severe defoliation has killed some willow in this area.

A Douglas fir beetle infestation was reported this year in Jasper National Park. Spruce beetle infested trees in Cypress Hills Provincial Park in 2002. The gray willow leaf beetle was common on willow in the Northeast Corporate Region (NER). The aspen leafroller was also common in this region in 2002. Yellowheaded spruce sawfly damaged some open grown white spruce stands on sites reclaimed by the oil and gas industry in the NER.

In Edmonton, the cottony psyllid damaged black ash trees. Dothiorella wilt continued to attack elm trees in Edmonton in 2002.

The pine false webworm populations in Edmonton collapsed below the level of detection in 2001. This year, the red elm weevil reportedly damaged some elm stands in southern Alberta.

Yellowheaded spruce sawfly and root collar weevils were reported from Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Ink spot disease defoliated nearly 1600 hectares of aspen stands in the Porcupine Hills.

Dothirorella Wilt was confirmed on another six elms in Edmonton.

Pine false webworm

The pine false webworm populations declined in Edmonton in 2000.

Yellowheaded spruce sawfly

The yellowheaded spruce sawfly infestation continued in Edmonton in 2000.

Black army cutworm

There were no black army cutworm infestations within the province in 2000.

Dutch elm disease

Alberta remained Dutch elm disease free during 2000. However, many cases of a similar vascular wilt of elms were reported in Edmonton. The smaller European elm bark beetle, one of the vectors of this disease, continued to be trapped at many points outside the main forested Crown land of the province.

Pine needle cast

A spectacular needle cast affected nearly 22 000 hectares of pine stands in Kananaskis Country.

Noxious and restricted weeds

The spotted knapweed, a restricted weed, was found in the northern east slopes and was also found together with diffused knapweed (another restricted weed) in Grande Prairie. Blueweed, Canada thistle, ox-eye daisy, scentless chamomile, tall buttercup and tansy were the predominant weed species found in the forested Crown land in 2000.

Larch sawfly

The larch sawfly continued to defoliate tamarack in the northwest part of the boreal forest for the third consecutive year.

Pine false webworm

The pine false webworm populations in Edmonton declined in 1999, compared to 1998. This decline may be due to the return of normal winter conditions after the mild winters experienced in 1997 and 1998.

Black army cutworm

An outbreak of the black army cutworm was recorded for the first time in Alberta in 1999. This outbreak occurred in the northern east slopes in the aftermath of a huge wildfire that burnt nearly 170 000 ha.

This infestation was scattered throughout the burnt area.

Dutch elm disease

This disease was not found in Alberta in 1999. However, one of the vectors of this disease, the smaller European elm bark beetle, is continued to be trapped in various cities in the province.

Spruce beetle

During 1997, neither new spruce beetle infestations were detected nor pheromone traps were set up to detect the spruce beetles within the forested Crown land of the province.

Larch sawfly

Larch sawfly defoliated large tracts of larch in the northwest part of the boreal forest.

Pine false webworm

Outbreaks of the pine false webworm, a potential pest of lodgepole pine in the forested Crown land of the province, were abundant and widespread in Edmonton.

Disease

In 1998 , western gall rust, root rots, twig blights, hypoxylon cankers and decay fungi were found throughout Alberta.

Dutch elm disease has not been detected in the province although one of its vectors has been repeatedly trapped in urban areas of Alberta.

Weeds

In 1998, Canadian thistle, scentless chamomile, common tansy, tall buttercup, oxeye daisy, yellow toadflax and knapweed were found scattered throughout the southwestern part of the forested Crown land of the province monitored.

Spruce beetle

During 1997, no new spruce beetle infestations were detected. A ground survey carried out by using pheromone-baited beetle traps showed endemic level populations in the northwest part of the boreal forest.

Larch sawfly

Larch sawfly defoliated large tracts of larch in the northwest part of the boreal forest.

Disease

In 1997, spruce needle rust, leaf spot diseases and twig blights were widespread in northern Alberta.

Dutch elm disease has not been detected in the province although one of its vectors has been repeatedly trapped in urban areas of Alberta.