There’s a Fungus Among Us! Developing Fusiform Rust-Resistant Loblolly & Slash Pines
![A fusiform rust gall on a branch.](http://cdn.naturalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spring-99-RUST-IMG-300x170.png)
We need trees for many important activities. Trees reduce soil erosion, reduce noise, lower temperatures, and provide habitat for animals. Trees also provide wood and paper products, such as lumber, furniture, writing paper, and baseball bats. One disease that affects trees is Fusiform Rust Disease. The scientists in this study studied how to keep trees that may be affected by this disease healthy.
![A black and white photo of a rocky, mountain landscape fills the background. Across the top third of the image are three smaller photos: the first is of people whitewater rafting, the second is a pile of pinecones, and the third is a woman in profile. There is text at the top of the image which says "Spring 1999, Volume 1, Number 2" and across the middle which says "The Natural Inquirer: A Research and Science Education Journal". On the bottom half of the image is a black outline of a magnifying glass.](http://cdn.naturalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spring-99-IMG-100x128.jpeg)
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Test your knowledge about Fusiform Rust Disease and inoculation with a word search.
Word Search – There’s a Fungus Among Us!
Test your knowledge about Fusiform Rust Disease and inoculation with a word search.
Glossary
View All Glossary![Black and white image of Dr. Harry Powers standing at a podium in front of an American flag and brick building.](http://cdn.naturalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dr.-Harry-Powers-150x150.jpeg)
Harry Powers
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
![USDA and Forest Service Logos](http://cdn.naturalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USDAFSlogolockup.png)
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
![Natural Inquirer bee sitting at a desk with paper and pencil](http://cdn.naturalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/desk-bee.png)
Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Forest Service