warm SPRUCE ' by Dan McAskill 
     
     (Piece glauar) + cultivate 5 
     
    
   
   
    
     Habitat: OnPrinceEdwardIsland,thisspeciesisprimarilyfoundformingdense,almostpurestandsonoldfields. Itis 
     
     dsofomdincoastalueas,backdtmes,anduacomponentofnnxedwoodstands. Wherethisspeeieahaagrowninan 
     
     abandoned field, its life spanis considerably shorterthanits potential life span of 150+ years. In these old fields, it 
     
     normallystartsdecliningbefore50yearsofageandincertainstandstheonsetofthissuddenmormlitycancommenceat 
     
     35years. ThisspeciesisheavilynperedinmostareasontheIslandandisrelativelyshortwithaheightofuptoZOm 
     
     (663). Diametersofupto45cm(18in)arecomnmnbutexc¢ptionaltreescanbeupto90cm(3 ft). 
     
    
   
   
    
     Wildlife Benefits: provides food and cover; provides seeds/cones for seed eating birds and squirrels; provides foraging 
     
     habitat for foliage gleaners (chicksdees, Evening Grosbeaks) and bark gleaners (chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, 
     
     creepers); during spruce budwonn outbreaks many caterpillar foraging birds will frequent white spruce trees. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Seasonal Considerations: provides cover year-round; produces seed in mid-autumn to late autumn; cones stay intact and 
     
     disperse seed as they dry; nature of cone opening makes this a good species for crossbills; produces heavy seed crops in 
     
     the wild every 3 to 7 years. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Comments: although its form is altered, this species can often survive coastal wind and salt spray where many other 
     
     species die; on the mainland, mature to over-mature areas near rivers may serve as deer overwinter-ing areas; susceptible 
     
     to spruce budworm defoliation and spruce gall mite damage; can be pruned to form a hedge; serves as an excellent 
     
     edge/border tree; good seed year every 2 to 6 years afier about 30 years of age; susceptible to root and trunk rots when 
     
     planted on former agricultural land. 
     
    
   
   
    
     NEWS FROM ABOUT compiled by Dan McAsln'll 
     
    
   
   
    
     On September 30th, a case of Pathogenic Newcastle Disease was diagnosed from specimens taken from a 
     
     cormorant from Ontario. Three varieties of this viral disease exist ranging from very mild to highly pathogenic. The bird 
     
     in question was carrying the velogenic strain which causes the highest level of mortality. During the summers of 1990, 
     
     1992, and 1995, outbreaks of this disease caused the death of large numbers of cormorants in colonies in western 
     
     Canadian provinces and in Ontario. The disease is spread to other susceptible birds by the consumption of contaminated 
     
     materials which can survive for days. This disease can cause devastation of commercial poultry flocks so 
     
     recommendations to growers are rigid bioscreening of flocks to prevent exposure to wild birds and people or services 
     
     which may be involved with wild birds. Wild birds, particularly waterfowl and pigeons, demonstrating abnormal 
     
     behaviour or neurologic signs should be reported to the nearest Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Office (adapted from 
     
     an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Oct. 3 memorandum) 
     
    

    
     Thanks to meetings hosted by the Canadian Nature Federation (CNF) with naturalists in 1994 and follow-up 
     
     discussions, the CNF and the New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists have joined forces tp expand education. During 
     
     1997, a special introductory offer will allow naturalists to join both organizations and receive both of their publications for 
     
     only $25. The two memberships would normally cost $48. (adapted from CNI= release) 
     
    

    
     A keen interest in fungi (mushrooms) led to the discovery of a new Canadian species of fungus in the shifting, 
     
     infertile dunes of Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario. It is Hebeloma afline Smith, Evenson & Mitchel (1983). This 
     
     specimen was only the second record in the world with the first being found on September 21, 1953 on the edge of dunes 
     
     in Wilderness Park area in Emmet County Michegan. (adapted from Toronto Field Naturalist 461116-17) 
     
    

    
     On October 12th, in a ceremony at the Palais de Congres, the Quebec Labrador Foundation’s Caring for the 
     
     Earth Award 1996 was presented to Island Naturalist Editor, Dan McAslcill. This international award was created in 
     
     1995 to recognize persons in eastern Canada and New England who demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication in 
     
     the field of conservation and sustainable development. Mr. Laurent Cloutier, a Conservation Officer with the Ministere de 
     
     l’environnement et de la faune in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, was honoured with the "Special Recognition Award” for 
     
     1996 for his long term conservation education efforts. (adapted from October 1996 QLF Release) 
     
    
   
   
    
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