Dr. Ellen Crocker is an Associate Professor of Forest Health Extension in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Kentucky. Her background is in plant pathology and her current focus is on education and outreach related to forest health issues such as invasive plants, insects and pathogens. She is particularly interested in new ways to engage people about the health of their trees and applied research related to forest health and the management of invasive species. In addition, she co-directs the Kentucky Master Naturalist Program.
Scholars@UK
Report on the Thirty-Fifth Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (SFTIC 2019)
Nelson, C. D., Crocker, E. V., DeWald, L., Raley, E. M., Adams, J. P., Crane, B. S., Peter, G. F., Casola, C., Davis, J. M. & Merkle, S. A., Apr 1 2020, In: Tree Genetics and Genomes. 16, 2, 31.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Characterizing phenological differences of invasive shrubs in a forest matrix using high resolution VENµS time series
Liang, L., Yang, J., Wittenbraker, W. C., Crocker, E. V., Tomaszewska, M. A. & Henebry, G. M., Feb 2025, In: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. 136, 104333.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Collecting large diameter cores from living trees with commercial drill bits and increment borers
Grace, L., Price, E., Crumley, E., Guillery, P., Deklerck, V., Elliott, K. & Crocker, E., Oct 2024, In: Dendrochronologia. 87, 126255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Understanding Forest Landowner Attitudes, Perceived Risk, and Response to Emerald Ash Borer in Kentucky
Adhikari, R. K., Poudyal, N. C., Ochuodho, T. O., Parajuli, R., Joshi, O., Mehmood, S. R., Munsell, J. F., Dhungel, G., Thomas, W., Crocker, E. & Zhou, M., Mar 1 2023, In: Journal of Forestry. 121, 2, p. 157-167 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Predictors of Landowners' Intention to Manage Emerald Ash Borer in Kentucky
Adhikari, R. K., Poudyal, N. C., Ochuodho, T. O., Parajuli, R., Joshi, O., Mehmood, S. R., Munsell, J. F., Dhungel, G., Thomas, W., Crocker, E. & Zhou, M., Aug 1 2023, In: Forest Science. 69, 4, p. 452-462 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Integrating GIS, Remote Sensing, and Citizen Science to Map Oak Decline Risk across the Daniel Boone National Forest
Crocker, E., Gurung, K., Calvert, J., Nelson, C. D. & Yang, J., May 2023, In: Remote Sensing. 15, 9, 2250.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
First Report of Laurel Wilt Caused by Harringtonia lauricola (Previously Raffaelea lauricola) on Northern Spicebush in Kentucky and Tennessee
Eaton, M. J., Beale, J., Long, S., Dreaden, T. J., Blevins, A., Mayfield, A., Buland, M., Hadziabdic, D. & Crocker, E. V., Apr 2023, In: Plant Disease. 107, 4, p. 1221 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
First report of laurel wilt caused by Raffaelea lauricola on Sassafras albidum in Tennessee and Kentucky
Loyd, A. L., Chase, K. D., Nielson, A., Hoover, N., Dreaden, T. J., Mayfield, A. E., Crocker, E. & Fraedrich, S. W., Feb 2020, In: Plant Disease. 104, 2, p. 567 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
Competition and burn severity determine post-fire sapling recovery in a nationally protected boreal forest of china: An analysis from very high-resolution satellite imagery
Fang, L., Crocker, E. V., Yang, J., Yan, Y., Yang, Y. & Liu, Z., Mar 1 2019, In: Remote Sensing. 11, 6, 603.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
TreeSnap: A citizen science app connecting tree enthusiasts and forest scientists
Crocker, E., Condon, B., Almsaeed, A., Jarret, B., Nelson, C. D., Abbott, A. G., Main, D. & Staton, M., Jan 2020, In: Plants People Planet. 2, 1, p. 47-52 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effects of meteorological factors on the defoliation dynamics of the larch caterpillar (Dendrolimus superans Butler) in the Great Xing’an boreal forests
Fang, L., Yu, Y., Fang, G., Zhang, X., Yu, Z., Zhang, X., Crocker, E. & Yang, J., Dec 2021, In: Journal of Forestry Research. 32, 6, p. 2683-2697 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Hedonic analysis of forest pest invasion: The case of emerald ash borer
Li, X., Holmes, T. P., Boyle, K. J., Crocker, E. V. & Nelson, C. D., Sep 1 2019, In: Forests. 10, 9, 820.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Overwintering seeds as reservoirs for seedling pathogens of wetland plant species
Crocker, E. V., Lanzafane, J. J., Karp, M. A., Nelson, E. B. & Langley, J. A., Mar 2016, In: Ecosphere. 7, 3, e01281.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Virulence of oomycete pathogens from Phragmites australis-invaded and noninvaded soils to seedlings of wetland plant species
Crocker, E. V., Karp, M. A. & Nelson, E. B., Jun 1 2015, In: Ecology and Evolution. 5, 11, p. 2127-2139 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Threats to oaks in the eastern United States: Perceptions and expectations of experts
Conrad, A. O., Crocker, E. V., Li, X., Thomas, W. R., Ochuodho, T. O., Holmes, T. P. & Nelson, C. D., Jan 1 2020, In: Journal of Forestry. 118, 1, p. 14-27 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Soil conditioning effects of Phragmites australis on native wetland plant seedling survival
Crocker, E. V., Nelson, E. B. & Blossey, B., Aug 2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 15, p. 5571-5579 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Detection of phytophthora cinnamomi in forest soils by PCR on DNA extracted from leaf disc baits
Sena, K., Dreaden, T. J., Crocker, E. & Barton, C., 2018, In: Plant Health Progress. 19, 3, p. 193-200 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Phytophthora cinnamomi as a driver of forest change: Implications for conservation and management
Sena, K., Crocker, E., Vincelli, P. & Barton, C., Feb 1 2018, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 409, p. 799-807 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Impact of Shade on White Oak (Quercus alba) Seedling Development in Variable Light Conditions
Crocker, E. (PI)
4/1/25 → 3/31/26
Project: Research project
Piloting a Kentucky Bradford Pear Bounty Program
Crocker, E. (PI)
4/1/25 → 9/30/26
Project: Research project
Dimensions US-China: Collaborative Research: Consequences of Diversity in Asian and American Tree Syngameons for Functional Variation, Adaptation and Symbiont Biodiversity
Crocker, E. (PI) & Zhebentyayeva, T. (CoI)
2/15/25 → 8/14/25
Project: Research project
Turning Invasive Pathogens Against Themselves by Protecting Trees with Pathogen Specific Treatments
Crocker, E. (PI)
8/27/24 → 12/31/27
Project: Research project
Invasive Plant Strike Team
Crocker, E. (PI) & Springer, M. (CoI)
4/30/24 → 6/30/28
Project: Research project
Continuation of Collaborative Phytophthora Root Rot Genetic Resistance Studies
Crocker, E. (PI)
4/1/24 → 9/30/24
Project: Research project
Dissecting the Molecular Basis for Dormancy in Trees
Crocker, E. (PI)
9/25/23 → 9/25/23
Project: Research project
Tree Canopy Resiliency Begins With Community Engagement
Rieske-Kinney, L. (PI), Coy, G. (CoI), Crankshaw, N. (CoI), Crocker, E. (CoI), Larson, J. (CoI), Phillips, L. (CoI), Sass, C. (CoI), Tedder, D. (CoI), Williams, M. (CoI) & Stringer, J. (Former CoI)
6/26/23 → 6/25/28
Project: Research project
Controlling Invasive Plants through Community Engagement
Crocker, E. (PI) & Springer, M. (CoI)
Richard King Mellon Foundation
6/1/23 → 12/31/24
Project: Research project
Southeast Region- Validating the Species and Origin of American Hardwoods
Crocker, E. (PI)
8/11/22 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
Transcriptional Dynamics in Resistant Chinese and Susceptible American Chestnut Roots During Early Response to Phytophthora Cinnamomi Infection
Crocker, E. (PI)
7/1/22 → 6/30/23
Project: Research project
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Forest Health
Crocker, E. (PI) & Yang, J. (CoI)
4/25/22 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: Expanding Your Horizons - a STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Agouridis, C. (PI), Andrews, R. (CoI), Crocker, E. (CoI), Hirsch, R. (CoI), Odom, S. (CoI), Williams, F. (CoI), Kim, S. (Former CoI) & Van Cleve, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/17 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: Expanding Your Horizons - a STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Agouridis, C. (PI), Andrews, R. (CoI), Crocker, E. (CoI), Hirsch, R. (CoI), Odom, S. (CoI), Williams, F. (CoI), Kim, S. (Former CoI) & Van Cleve, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/17 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
KY EPSCoR: Expanding Your Horizons - a STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Crocker, E. (PI), Andrews, R. (CoI), Condon, B. (CoI) & Odom, S. (CoI)
KY Council on Postsecondary Education
9/1/16 → 6/30/17
Project: Research project
World Forest ID American Hardwoods Project Sampling
Crocker, E. (PI)
6/15/21 → 5/31/23
Project: Research project
Oak Genetic Improvement Program
Crocker, E. (PI) & Stringer, J. (CoI)
9/1/18 → 6/30/20
Project: Research project
2018 Conference "Tree Resistance To Insects And Diseases: Putting Promise Into Practice"
Crocker, E. (PI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/1/18 → 8/31/19
Project: Research project
Using Forest Health Assessment as a Tool for Citizen Engagement and Education
Crocker, E. (PI) & Seifert, M. (CoI)
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
5/13/16 → 5/31/17
Project: Research project
Oak Genetic Improvement Program
Crocker, E. (PI) & Stringer, J. (CoI)
KY Energy and Environment Cabinet
4/1/17 → 6/30/18
Project: Research project
Education
- Cornell University, Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology), 2015
- Williams College, Bachelor of Arts (Biology and History), 2006
Associated Departments