Featured Photo credit: William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org

Avoid bringing something scary home with you this fall and winter:
pinon Ips (Ips confusus) – one of the many wood-boring beetles that can be transported in firewood

For many of us, when temperatures drop it’s time to shop for firewood. However, many wood-boring pests can be transported in firewood, endangering the beloved trees in our yards and landscapes. This can include native species, like bark and longhorned beetles, or even exotic invasives like the infamous emerald ash borer. There is nothing more spooky in my mind than what EAB has done to the U.S. landscape, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees since it was first introduced.

A recent review from Wright University suggests that emerald ash borer may also be able to complete its life
cycle in olive trees under certain conditions.

The damaging effects of native bark beetles (including Ips beetles, Dendronoctus ponderosae, and others) can also be scary. Beetles like these may spend the winter as adults or larvae, depending on the species, and are more likely to infest trees that are stressed due to lack of water, a more common problem as drought conditions continue.

Wildfire can also exacerbate bark beetle problems. Be sure that you source firewood locally to avoid spreading a nasty infestation to your landscape. You can also protect your trees from bark beetles by providing supplemental water and pruning during the winter to avoid attracting beetles to tree wounds. Cut firewood should be kept in a different area from your trees. If you have infested wood, be sure to burn it, bury it, or chip it.

Check out this publication from NMSU for more info on how to deal with these and other chilling tree pests! https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H174/index.html#4

Featured Photo credit: Carolyn Rivera

SEMG Team Fun: Garden Party

Team Fun delivered a Garden Party on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the home of Arnold and Sandy Farley in Corrales, NM.  Several MGs, Interns and guests participated in a Bingo game designed to identify plants and garden ornaments in multiple garden areas, from Mind Garden to Body Garden to Alien Crossing.  Upon completing 5 in a row (almost all went for blackout), each participant selected a painted rock for their own garden representing the existing painted rocks in the Farley gardens.  The Farleys provided beautiful door prizes by drawing individuals’ bingo cards from a basket.

Team Fun will continue to plan and organize new events.  Interested volunteers or to serve as a future team member are welcome to reach out to any of the four leads:  Charlene Spiegel, Nancy Rutland, Laura Strickland, or Carolyn Rivera.

Thank you to all who participated.

Click on a picture below to see it full-sized

Photo credits: Mike Jackovich

SEMG Outreach: Rio Rancho Fun Day

SEMG provided free high desert gardening outreach to the community at Rio Rancho Fun Day on August 17, 2025, alongside vendors, activities, and musical entertainment.

Despite the 98 degree🌡️ heat, SEMG had 40-50 visitors per hour – an estimated total of 160-200 visitors – at this family event which has been a Rio Rancho tradition since 2005.  We are thankful for the new 10 x 10 canopy purchased by Eydie Francis for SEMG.  Setup and takedown took only about 30 minutes each!

The free 🌱seeds were the biggest attraction. Thank you to everyone who came by.  (And next year we hope to have more handout materials suitable for youngsters.)

🪻🌸🌺🌼🌻Fun Facts about the Pollinator Garden at the Corrales Library

The Pollinator Garden at the Corrales Library contains over 40 species of native and adapted plants that will accept partial shade.
Plants pictured include Yerba mansa, Larkspur, Cutleaf Coneflower, Gaillardia, Cosmos, Zinnia, False Indigo, Calendula and Lisianthus.
The west side of the building was recently planted with Apache Plume, Arizona Rosewood, Fernbush, ‘Tiger Eyes’ Sumac and Rocky Mountain Bee Plant.

Come take a look! Or if you are an SEMG, see the project page to volunteer.