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Northern Research Station
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You are here: NRS Home / Scientists & Staff / Jennifer Juzwik
Scientists & Staff

[image:] Jennifer Juzwik Jennifer Juzwik

Title: Research Plant Pathologist
Unit: Biological and Environmental Influences on Forest Health and Productivity
Address: Northern Research Station
1561 Lindig Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 651-649-5114
E-mail: Contact Jennifer Juzwik

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Education

  • University of Minnesota, Ph.D., Plant Pathology, 1983
  • Colorado State University, M.Sc., Plant Pathology, 1978
  • Fairmont State College, B.Sc., Biology, 1976

Civic & Professional Affiliations

  • American Phytopathological Society
  • International Society of Arboriculture
  • Minnesota Society of Arboriculture
  • Northeastern Nursery Association
  • Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee

Current Research

As a Research Plant Pathologist, I conduct studies on invasive tree pathogens and associated insects. These studies are often conducted in collaboration with scientists, forest health specialists, and foresters in federal, state and county agencies as well as universities. Practical guidelines ranging from preventing introduction of invasive pathogens to managing or mitigating diseases caused by established pathogens are the outcomes of these studies. I also collaborate with US Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry and state agencies in detection and monitoring activities for emerging diseases. My current research efforts concern:

  • Hickory decline and dieback research
    • Determine frequencies of decline/dieback and mortality of smooth bark hickories in appropriate forest cover types where deviations from expected levels of mortality have been observed (Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, and Wisconsin).
    • Quantify relationships between decline/dieback incidence and a) pathogen and/or insect pest presence, and b) prior land use, fire history, soils and drought.
    • Determine the role of two newly described Ceratocystis species in decline/dieback and mortality of bitternut hickory.
  • Oak wilt research
    • Investigate temporal and spatial aspects of belowground transmission of C. fagacearum in relation to current disease management strategies. These studies include evaluation of the efficacy of propiconazole and of mechanical root graft disruption in operational, oak wilt control programs.
  • Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD)
    • Collaborate with state agencies on visual surveys for the disease in Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri
    • Evaluate trap tree method for early detection of walnut twig beetle in eastern black walnut in Tennessee and incorporate the method in Indiana and Missouri surveys for TCD
    • Investigate other bark and ambrosia beetles known to attack eastern black walnut for their potential association with the TCD pathogen, Geosmithia morbida

Why is This Important

Oak-hickory forests comprise 29% of the 31 million hectares of forest land in the Upper Midwest (IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO and WI). The oak species group is the most important aggregation of hardwoods in the United States. Oak decline and oak wilt are responsible for much of the observed oak deterioration and mortality in the midwestern forests. In addition, new exotic pathogens, such as Phytophthora ramorum (cause of Sudden Oak Death) and Raffaelea quercivora (cause of Japanese oak wilt), are potential threats to the health of oaks in these forests. Our oak disease research addresses both the need for early detection of any unintentionally introduced exotic pathogens and for new or refined management tools for well-established pathogens, such as Ceratocystis fagacearum (cause of oak wilt in the USA).

Hickories are an important component of many forest associations in the eastern United States, particularly various oak-hickory cover types. Sites impacted by hickory decline or dieback and mortality have recently been reported to lose a high proportion of smooth bark hickories, particularly bitternut, over a very short period of time (3 to 5 years). These losses cause a significant, adverse impact to wildlife, timber value and biodiversity in affected stands. Our goal is to identify significant biotic and abiotic contributors to the decline or dieback and develop site or silvicultural guidelines for mitigating the tree losses and stand impacts associated with this problem.

Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) is the most economically important hardwood species in the eastern USA. Lumber from this species has a high market price and exports from the USA exceed $ 40 million annually. The species is also important for nut production, wildlife habitat, riparian buffers, windbreaks and other ecosystem services. Thousand cankers disease, caused by an interaction of the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) and a fungus (Geosmithia morbida), is a threat to the health of eastern black walnut.

Future Research

I would like to develop two areas of interest into research projects in the near future:

  • Molecular probes for detection of selected pathogens on associated insects.
  • Describe the major biotic and abiotic factors negatively impacting the health of Colorado blue spruce and of white spruce in Midwestern, urban landscapes.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications

Other Publications by Jennifer Juzwik *

  • Hokanson, S.C.; Whitaker, V.M.; Bradeen, J.M.; Long, M.C.; Krebs, S.K.; Blanchette, R.A.; Juzwik, J.; Zuzek, K.; McNamara, S. 2010. Woody landscape plant breeding in Minnesota (45o N): It`s not all about cold hardiness. Acta Horticulturae. 885:145-151.

*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Jennifer Juzwik to inquire about reprints.

Last Modified: 02/15/2012