A quick guide to the emerald ash borer threat

8/2/2019 A quick guide to the emerald ash borer threat

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Vermont

Forest Health

Em era ld Ash Bore r : I n f o r m a t io n fo r Ver m o n t Lan d o w n e r s

Department of Forests, Parks, & RecreatioFebruary 2012 vtforest.co

Wh at i s em era ld ash bo re r?

Em er a ld ash bo r e r ( EAB) i s an exo t i c bee t l e t ha t h as been k i l l i ng

ash t r ees in No r t h Am er i ca . Native to China, eastern Russia, Japan,

and Korea, it was found near Detroit in 2002.

Wh at k i nd o f dam age does i t do?

EAB feeds on a l l sp ec ies of ash. None of Vermonts native ash trees

are resistant to the insect. Mountain-ash is not a host because its not atrue ash species.

I t t akes 2 - 4 yea r s f o r i n f es t ed t r ees t o d ie . Mortality of infestedtrees is close to 100%. One in a thousand ash trees may "linger"after nearby trees have died; their future is unclear.

EAB dam ages t r ees by bo r ing t h r ough t he i nne r ba r k . Heavyfeeding by the immature, grub-like larvae blocks the movement ofwater and nutrients.

I nfested trees die within 4 yea

Br anches as sma l l as 1 " i n d iam e t e r can be i n f est ed . Upper branches are often infested first.

Wi l l i t sp read t o Verm on t?

EAB i s expect ed t o sp r ead t o Ve r m on t . With over 100 millionash trees in Vermont, it will have a significant impact.

EAB has never been seen in t he s ta te . No beetles were caughton the 2200 purple panel traps set out, statewide, in 2011. We willcontinue to use traps in 2012, as well as other detection methods,including visual surveys, using trap trees, and monitoring predatory

wasps.

The closes t know n in f es t a t i ons a r e a r ound Mon t r ea l and i n

New Yo r k s Hudson Va ll ey . Both are within 50 miles of Vermontborder. EAB has been spreading rapidly. It is known to occur in 15

states and 2 Canadian provinces.

EAB has never been found in Vermon t.

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The beet l es a r e s t r ong f l i e r s , and good a t f i nd ing ash

t rees . When EAB first arrived in Maryland, the infested area ex-

panded about mile per year. Within a few years, insect popu-lations had exploded, and the infested area grew more rapidly.

Mov ing f i r ew ood i s t he # 1 cause o f sp r ead . Other new infes-tations have been traced to shipments of nursery trees and logs.

But all stages of the insect can travel 65 mph down the inter-

state inside infested wood!

EAB w ou ld su r v i ve Ve r m on t ' s w in t e r s . It is a cold-hardy in-

sect, native to northern China, Mongolia, and the Russian FarEast. It has also become established in Ontario and northern

Michigan.

Firewood movement is the

# 1 cause of EABspread.

How can I t e l l if I have EAB?

W oodpecke r damage t o l i ve t r ees m ay be t he f i r s t s ign t ha t a t r ee i s in f es t ed . When feeding on EAB

woodpeckers scrape off outer bark, leaving smooth, light colored patches. If the bark is removed, S-shapedgalleries weaving back and forth on the surface of the wood would be visible. The D-shaped exit holes are

good EAB indicators, but are only long and hard to see.

Ot he r hea l t h p r ob lem s can k i l l ash t r ees in Ve r m on t . Ash are

susceptible to drought. An infectious disease called ash yellows is common in parts of the state.

Adu l t bee t l es a r e l ong and me t a l l i c g r een . Under the wing

covers, their abdomen is purple. Beetles are found between June andAugust. Information about lookalike insects is available atwww.vtfpr.org/protection/documents/VTEABlookalikes_000.pdf.

I f y o u t h i n k y o u m i g h t h a v e EA B, r e po r t i t . Collect and/or photo-graph any suspect insects. If you can't reach someone at the contactnumbers below, call the EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512.

Woodpecker damage may be the first sign

that a tree is infested with EAB.

Wh at w i l l happen w hen EAB i s f ound i n Ve rm on t?

The f i r s t s t ep w i l l be t o de t e r m ine t he s i ze o f t he i n f es t ed a r ea . Most state and federal management

decisions will depend on the results of this on-the-ground delineation survey.

W e w on t ge t r i d o f EAB by r em ov ing ash t r ees . This has been attempted unsuccessfully, time and

again. Even when all ash within 1 miles of known infested trees were cut, the beetle was soon found be-

yond the treatment area. Because its accepted that infestations cannot be eradicated, the state will not beimplementing widespread ash tree removal.

W her e EAB has sp r ead i n t o f o r es t s t ands , m os t ash t r ees have d ied w i t h in 6 yea r s . Once trees die,additional sunlight reaches the forest floor. This stimulates the growth of young trees and other plants, in-cluding non-native invasive species if they are present. While theyre standing, dead ash trees may provide

feeding and cavity sites for wildlife, but they also create a hazardous situation for recreational users, loggersand firewood cutters.

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Landow ner s w i l l be ab le t o se l l ash l ogs , bu t t he r e w i l l be r e -

s t r i c t i ons . When a new EAB infestation is detected, a quarantine zone

is established. Under current rules, ash logs can be transported out ofthe quarantine zone, but only to a sawmill with a compliance agree-

ment to follow shipping restrictions. No restrictions apply if your woodlot is outside the quarantine zone, or if both your woodlot and the des

tination sawmill are within it.

I n o t h e r s t a t es , l og p r i ces have been a f f ect ed as much by t he

t h r ea t o f EAB as by q ua r an t i nes . Landowners harvested more ash the insects approached, flooding the market, and driving down logprices. By the time the insect actually arrived, the easily accessible ashad already been cut. With less ash available, prices went up.

Tr a p t r e e s c an i n d i c at e w h e t h e r o r n o t y o u r w o o d lo t i s i n -

fes ted . By monitoring your own trees for EAB, you will know when therisk of mortality becomes urgent. To find out how to use the girdled

trap tree technique, ask your consulting forester, or contact one of the

offices below. Vermont officials have no plans to remove infested treeon private land.

When EAB arrives in Vermont, landownerswill still be able to sell ash logs.

Shou ld I cu t m y ash t r ees now ?

Don t pan i c . While EAB is close to Vermont and may

reach the state soon, it could be many years before itshows up in your woodlot. Consider the ecological,aesthetic, and economic value of your ash, your toler-

ance of risk, and your objectives for ownership. Stay

abreast of new information to avoid short-sighted deci-sions. Visitwww.vtinvasives.org for the latest news on

EAB.

I f you r l and i s en r o l l ed i n t he Use Va lue App r a i sa l

p r o g r a m , y o u m u s t f o l l ow y o u r a p p r o v e d f o r es t

m a n a g em e n t p l an o r a n a p p r o v ed a m e n d m e n t .

Contact your consulting forester if you wish to change

your planned activities, treatment schedule, or man-agement objectives. Remember that the county for-

ester needs to approve any changes before the man-

agement activity begins.

I n other states, log pricesha

been affected as m uch by

th reat of EAB as by quarantin

W or k w i t h a consu l t i ng f o r est e r t o p r o t ect you r i n t e r es t s and you r f o r es t . Studies have shown that

woodland owners who use professional forestry services before they cut make more money and are moresatisfied with the results than owners who sell timber on their own.

P lan f o r EAB now i f you h ave ash . It may take awhile to carry out your plan, especially on large owner-

ships. Know whats at risk: how much ash you have, its size and quality, and where its located.

Gr ow ing ash saw logs is a r i sk ie r l ong - t e r m inves t m en t t han i t u sed t o be . During scheduled har-

vests, take steps to limit your exposure to loss. Reduce the percentage of ash if it exceeds 20%. Reviewyour diameter target (how big to grow trees before cutting them) with your forester, discussing site qualitytree condition, and markets. To keep from degrading your woodlot, retain good quality trees of a variety of

species.

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I f y o u r e g r o w i n g t r e e s fo r t i m b e r i n co m e , d o n t c u t i m m a t u r e a sh t o o e ar l y . If the trees are too

small to yield high value sawlogs, you may get a better return if you allow them to grow. They will increase

in volume, and may improve in grade, which will lead to a better return.

Reassess your p lan i f EAB is de tec ted in o r n ear you r count y . Keep abreast of news about the insect.

The threat of imminent tree mortality increases when EAB is within 10 miles of your property.

Wh at e l se can I do?

Spr ead t he Don t Move Fi r ew ood m essage in you r t ow n . Visitors who bring infested firewood to secondhomes or campgrounds near you put your trees at risk. Talk with neighbors and campground owners. Postleaflets, available through the contacts below, in your community.

Know w hen EAB ar r i ves nea r you by suppo r t i n g de t ect i on e f f o r t s . Help spread the word in your community; a variety of outreach materials are available. Participate in more formal monitoring efforts through

http://vtinvasives.org/.

Th ink b ig . Take ac t i on . Encou r age you r t ow n t o p lan ahead f o r EAB. By addressing issues before EABarrives, the loss associated with an infestation can be spread over a longer period of time. Neighboring com-

munities can coordinate to share resources and reduce costs. Seehttp://www.vtfpr.org/protection/documents/PreparingforEmeraldAshBorerchecklist.pdffor more information.

Sur vey f o r EAB: He lp det ec t EAB by us ing t r ap t r ees i n you r com m un i t y o r w ood lo t .Girdled tree

called trap trees, can be used as a survey tool to detect the presence of EAB. The State could use help in

recruiting volunteers to help girdle trap trees on private land. SeeVTInvasivesfor information on how to

participate.

I s t he re any hope?

W eve on l y know n abou t EAB f o r t en yea r s . Our knowledge about the insect is rapidly expanding. Asubstantial research effort is underway to improve insect management and tree survival.

Sc ien t i s t s a r e i nv est i ga t i ng na t u r a l enem ies o f

EAB. Parasites and predators significantly reduce

EAB populations. Several parasites from China havebeen released, and are now established in the US.

As these efforts continue, the threat of EAB may be

diminished.

Many hea l t hy ash t r ees o f a l l s izes a re s t i l l

g r ow ing i n eve r y i n f est ed st a t e . Even where

mortality has been severe, the occasional lingeringash has survived. Partial resistance has been foundin North American blue ash. White ash is thought to

be genetically diverse, providing hope that somegenetic resistance may occur in that species as well.

Fo r m o re in fo rm a t i on : VT Division of Forestry:www.vtforest.com

Vermont Invasive Pests:vtinvasives.org/tree-pests

EAB Website:www.emeraldashborer.info/

For mor e in f o rmat ion ,con tact y our

Count y Forester o r :

Windsor & Windham CountiesBennington & Rutland CountiesAddison, Chittenden, Franklin & Grand Isle CountiesLamoille, Orange & Washington Counties Caledonia, Orleans & Essex Counties

Springfield (802) 885-8845Rutland (802) 786-0040Essex Junction (802) 879-6565Barre (802) 476-0170St. Johnsbury (802) 751-0110

Forest health and Stewardship programs in the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation are supported, in part, by the US Forest Service,

State and Private Forestry, and conducted in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, USDA-APHIS, the University of Ver-mont, cooperating landowners, resource managers, and citizen volunteers.

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Many healthy ash tr ees of all sizes are

growing in every infested sta