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 ARE WE LOSING OUR ASH TREES? by Samuel Berg Have you seen the purple triangular tubes along the roadways throughout the area? They are used as monitoring equipment for the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an introduced insect that will be the end of the American Ash in the North East as we know them. EAB was introduced to Michigan from shipping crates and pallets from Eastern Russia and Northeastern China. The EAB has spread through; Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and now a infestation has been reported in Cattaraugus County. The purple traps are part of a monitoring program to track the progression of the insect identifying the leading edge of it progress. EAB adults emerge from infected trees in mid May to late June to find a mate, re-infect trees and find new trees to infect laying their eggs on the bark between June and July. The larva then burrow into the tree to feed and spend the winter months, disrupting the vascular tissue of the tree, repeating the cycle next year. EAB can cause failure of healthy Ash Trees in 3 to 5 years. The EAB doesn´t just target weak trees but healthy ones as well, making the EAB a very devastating insect in our landscape. What can you do as an informed homeowner? Home owners should be aware of the progression of EAB in their area. Current maps are available of your area through www.emeraldashborer.info or download a pdf of current map here » Studies have shown that there are effective treatments for the EAB, however all are not equal, the age and size of the tree will determine the best treatment strategy. Tree health is paramount and will offer a good foundation for the long term future of any tree under management. A licensed Arborist is a great place to start, offering several management strategies based on your particular Ash trees and your budget. There is hope for the Ash I strongly disagree with the retired forester from Franklinville, this idea of doom and gloom and the plight of the Ash in the wake of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is wrong. I pride myself on keeping abreast of the latest technology and continuing studies within the fields of Arboriculture and Forestry. Even though the destructive potential of the EAB has been likened to Dutch Elm Disease and the American Elm there are Elms that have survived some under management some not. The Ash Tree will have a similar future, researchers have found Ash trees that were unaffected by the beetle pointing towards resistant species. There are many options available to protect the Ash trees from the onset of the EAB. Learn more about the Emeral Ash Borer » This article is taken from Ask-an-Arborist.com, sponsored by Haskell Tree Service and kGraphics. Questions? Visit Ask-an-Arborist.com to submit your own questions about EAB or any arboriculture topic. Samuel Berg is a licensed Arborist with Haskell Tree Service, for more information call (716) 655-3359. We will be tracking this important issue and updating this page as new information becomes available. Please check back for the latest details! |
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