Marc Abrams

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drought-sensitive trees

Eastern U.S. forests more vulnerable to drought than before 1800s

3/8/16

Over thousands of years, most forests in the eastern United States evolved with frequent fire, which promoted tree species and ecosystems that were both fire and drought resistant. In little more than a century, humans upset that balance, suggest researchers, who blame the change, in part, on the well-meaning efforts of Smokey Bear.

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A warm, wet fall would dampen foliage colors

9/21/12

This summer was notable because of drought conditions in June and July, and searing heat in July, but that won't limit the beauty of Pennsylvania's fall foliage. Instead, it's the next few weeks' weather that will be determinant, according to a forest expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. And long-term weather forecasts point to mild weather -- 60- to 70-degree days and nights in the mid-40s -- through the end of October, with no frosts. For fall foliage lovers, that's not good.

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Expert: Drought conditions to dampen foliage display

9/28/10

If it seems to you, as you drive around Pennsylvania, that the leaves on many trees began turning colors early this year, it's because they have, according to a forest expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. On the heels of one of the hottest, driest summers on record for Pennsylvania, hardwoods across the state began going from green to gold, orange, red and purple -- and to dull brown -- in mid-September. "It has been so dry, and trees in some areas are so challenged by drought conditions, that their leaves just went straight to brown and are falling off the branches already," said Marc Abrams, professor of forest ecology and physiology.

Looking at forest fires in a whole different way

6/3/09

Smokey Bear has been telling Americans since 1944, "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires," but a new bill under consideration in the state's General Assembly may begin to change Pennsylvania's approach to the blazes, according to forest experts in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

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Dry summer may threaten foliage in some northcentral counties

9/30/08

The very dry summer in Clearfield, Cameron, Elk and Potter counties could be bad news for their fall foliage, Marc Abrams worries, but the situation could turn around with more prolonged rains -- if they come soon -- perhaps from another tropical storm.