Hypoxylon Canker (Hypoxylon mummatum) is seen on many kinds of poplar, but it is most common on trembling aspen. It is very common in the Sudbury area. In certain localities of the region, it affects the majority of trembling aspen, effectively eliminating that species from those areas. The disease affects the trunk of trees, and appears as a wound ranging up to 1 metre in length, and up to 15 centimetres in width.The bark of the tree appears relatively normal, except that it is yellowish to orange for a few centimetres outwards from the wound. From the edges of the wound inward, the whitish, thin layer of the outer bark is raised and broken into rectangular pieces. The underlying bark is dark and rough with elevated sections.Between the bark and the wood there are strands of lightly coloured mycelium or root like fungal structures. In the centre of the canker, the surface has thick, crusty patches of fungal tissue, which have powdery white, spore-producing structures. Brown ooze may streak the bark around the wound.Infections may last for several years, depending on the size of the tree. When the trunk is girdled, or circled, by the canker, the parts of the tree growing above the canker die.Trembling aspens with dead tops are very common in our region, and their death is almost always attributable to hypoxylon canker. Often the tops of these trees will still have brown leaves attached. This disease is most common in areas where the soil or environmental conditions are not favourable.Control Measures:It is important to maintain a healthy environment for trees to grow in in order to reduce the risk of infection. Trees that show signs of infection should be immediately removed, and if possible the affected material should be burned to prevent the spread of the fungus. Smaller infections can be cut out, but larger infections are incurable. Avoid making holes in the bark of the tree, as this opens up new sites for infection.Knowing more about tree diseases and pests can help people recognize and know the difference between exotic and native pests and diseases. Follow our posts here on Cool Science to learn more over the next few weeks.Do you have a question about your tree? Leave a comment below, come see us, or ask us on twitter! @dan_chaput

Many people come into Science North with questions regarding the health of their trees. In this new blog series, my colleague Jaqueline Bertrand and I will be addressing some of the more common tree pests and diseases found in the Sudbury region and throughout Ontario.Tree pests and diseases native to Ontario are part of a natural cycle of life and death in our forests. There is however, a growing list of pests and diseases that have been introduced into our forests. These pests and diseases have no natural method of control. In some cases, the elimination of a tree species from its entire range is a looming possibility. Several examples come to mind such as Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, and butternut canker. The most recent newsworthy pest, is the emerald ash borer. Knowing more about tree diseases and pests can help people recognize and monitor the spread of these exotic pests and diseases. Follow our posts here on Cool Science to learn more over the next few weeks.Do you have a question about your tree? Leave a comment below, come see us, or ask me on twitter! @dan_chaput

If you have ever visited the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery here at Science North, you would have likely encountered between 400 and 600 free flying butterflies. All of those butterflies are shipped to Science North every two weeks from the Philippines, Malaysia, El Salvador and Costa Rica. We need to replenish our butterflies every two weeks because, for the most part, that’s how long butterflies live. The butterflies are shipped to Science North as pupae or chrysalis.One of our pupae suppliers is El Bosque Nuevo, or “The New Forest”, in Guanacaste province, Costa Rica.El Bosque Nuevo was established in 1995 with the help of Florida businessman John Fazzini and others who provided support in the form of loans, legal guidance, scientific support and administrative services. The goal was to provide subsistence to farmers with an opportunity to administer their own natural resources while protecting the environment and to provide their families with a good income and a promising future. El Bosque Nuevo specifically recruited families because butterfly farming allows its workers to care for their homes and children while they work.Originally, the El Bosque Nuevo consisted of 91 hectares of land: 41 hectares were clear-cut land and 50 hectares were virgin rainforest. The 50 hectares were set aside as a preserve that has remained untouched. The remaining 41 hectares were planted with over 70 000 trees utilizing good agro-forestry standards established in conjunction with the farm, scientific consultations and the Costa Rican government.     El Bosque Nuevo has experimented with cut flowers, ornamentals, spices and medicinal herbs, but it is the butterfly production that has proven to be the most lucrative for the farmers.In late 2007, I received an invitation to visit the El Bosque Nuevo butterfly farm. They would provide food and accommodation for myself and about 20 other butterfly conservatory managers and operators from throughout North America. They wanted us to be confident that they were running a sustainable, profitable and eco-friendly operation.In March of 2008, my colleague Jacqueline Bertrand and I arrived at the El Bosque Nuevo butterfly farm.  The farm had a bunkhouse that could easily accommodate all of us. The bunkhouse is also made available to visiting scientists who wish to study the surrounding forest. It is equipped with a gas refrigerator and stove, and electrical demands are powered by solar cells with a back-up generator for emergencies. After many consultations with experts from around the world, El Bosque Nuevo began to set up for the production of butterflies. Two greenhouses were erected near the farmhouse. These greenhouses provide a predator-free area for the butterflies to feed, mate and lay their eggs. The host plants for the butterfly larvae (caterpillars) are planted under established trees. The larvae remain there in mesh bags to protect them until they pupate, at which point they are sold or used to restock the greenhouses. There are no handouts at El Bosque Nuevo. All the money that was initially needed to buy and establish the farm has long been repaid, with extra profits used to pay salaries and increase the farm’s land holdings. As the person responsible for the purchase of butterflies for the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery, I need to be sure that the butterfly pupae we purchase are farmed in an ecologically friendly, sustainable method that provides farmers with a good source of income. El Bosque Nuevo has left me with no doubt.

What comes to mind when you think of “cool science?” A concoction of exploding liquids?  The science behind a magic trick? What about shoreline restoration? Ok, it may not sound as enticing as spontaneous combustion but some of us biologists/ecologists/naturalists happen to think it is!What is the Healthy Shoreline Demonstration Site?Take a look at the shoreline, just east of Science North’s patio and you may notice what used to be a barren beach is now an ecologically restored shoreline.  Science North is situated just upland of the shore of Ramsey Lake, a valued source of drinking water, recreation, and serenity for many Sudburians. We wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on the health of the shoreline, and to support the City of Greater Sudbury’s Year of Biodiversity initiative.  The site demonstrates to shoreline homeowners how they can improve the health of shorelines on their property. Why protect the shoreline?Shorelines are especially rich in diversity, and where many wildlife species begin their lives. Some continue to live in water, while others have varying needs at different stages in their lives, move on and then return to begin the cycle again.What role do plants play in a healthy shoreline?Think about the amazing impact plants have on our ecosystem. For instance, we planted Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) last fall at the Healthy Shoreline Demonstration Site, and this summer what magically appeared were none other than five Monarch butterfly larvae feasting on the leaves of their host plant. Perhaps ‘magical’ isn’t a scientifically accepted term for this phenomenon, but for a female monarch butterfly to find these newly planted specimens in the midst of hundreds of other plants and lay an egg right on its offspring’s dinner is quite fascinating! (Monarchs only lay eggs on Milkweed because it is the only plant the larva can feed on.) In addition to a number of erosion control measures, recycled limestone walkway, and interpretative signage, native plants are the cornerstone of this and any healthy shoreline. On this site, over 1050 native plants of over 40 different species have been planted. The more variety of species, the healthier your shoreline will be!Native plants provide habitat for a vast number of fauna, filter the water, regulate its temperature and help stabilize shoreline with rich networks of roots.  After plants die, they continue to contribute. A fallen tree trunk provides nesting and refuge to wildlife, a spot for a turtle to soak in the suns’ rays; decomposing greens add nutrients to the soil. Of course, it will take time for shrubs to reach mature height, thickets to form and the shoreline to be completely restored.  We’ve already seen a huge growth spurt in plants and in a short amount of time, wildlife have already begun to visit and take up residence at the site, in large part due to these cool and fascinating plants! Watch the video to take a tour of the shoreline with us, and have a look of some of the plants that are in bloom right now!