ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 18, 2026) — State agriculture officials are keeping close watch on hardwood trees across western Maryland after unseasonable spring weather and insect activity caused widespread damage to forest areas.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reports that an early spring frost harmed newly emerging leaves in Allegany County, while outbreaks of leaf-eating caterpillars have been documented in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties.
According to the department, these combined spring weather stresses have affected large sections of trees throughout all three counties in the western part of the state.
