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What is Emerald Ash Borer? Scientific Name: Order: Family Coleoptera: Buprestidae metallic wood boring beetle Species Agrilus planipennis Emerald Ash Borer EAB is a Wood Boring Beetle: - It spends a large portion of it s life cycle under the bark of a tree, where it consumes vascular tissues (primarily the phloem ) 2
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Why Is EAB A Problem? It is a Non-native Invasive Species Non-native - It currently inhabits an area outside of the historical range where it evolved (China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Eastern Russia) Invasive - It does harm to the ecosystem it inhabits Ash species have a very large range in North America North America ash species are an ideal hosts EAB attacks healthy ash trees Not enough predators to control the EAB population Native Range of Fraxinus sp. in North America EAB populations stay until all trees are dead (including saplings & sprouts) 4
2002 Emerald Ash Borer was discovered feeding on ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees in Southeastern Michigan and an area across the border in Canada. Initial arrival of EAB likely occurred many years earlier. 5
E EAB Found: Michigan Ontario
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-anddisease-programs/pests-and-diseases/emerald-ash-borer/ct_emerald_ash_borer 7
Ash branches have an Opposite formation Entire Leaf Single Leaflet Twigs diverge opposite each other from their perspective sides of the branch Ash leaves are Compound meaning each leaf has multiple leaflets (Ash 5-11) Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Ash bark commonly displays a diamond-like pattern of ridges 8
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The EAB Lifecycle Adults Mate Female Lays eggs Larvae Begin Feeding Larvae Pupate in Adults Adults Emerge Adults feed on Leaves
How Does EAB Kill Its Host Trees? The Phloem, Cambium, and outer Xylem cells make Vascular tissues Vascular tissues are vital to the tree but Do Not Regenerate. EAB consume vascular tissues during their larval stages EAB eventually feed their way around the circumference of the tree Arborists and foresters refer to trees in this condition as Girdled 14
EAB Larval Galleries feeding pattern under the bark (Cause of Death) Photos taken by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Staff 15
(% Ash Mortality) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Cumulative Ash Mortality Following EAB Infestation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 (Years After Infestation) Little change in Ash tree health is observed for the first 6 years after EAB reaches a new area. That rapidly changes year 6-12. Chart based on work from Zwack, 2010 and utilized in City of Cambridge EAB Management Action Plan, 2015.. 16
Visual Symptoms Indicating EAB: Epicormic Sprouting: Dense clumps of branches (shrub-like) Occur along tree trunk or branches where foliage is not common on healthy trees Vigorous growers, but weak and easy to break 17
Visual Symptoms Indicating EAB: Splits in the Tree Bark Underlying Cause EAB feeding gallery: Dead Vascular Tissues 18
Visual Symptoms Indicating EAB: Crown Dieback EAB rapidly killing vascular tissue and which can no longer support the tree s crown 19
Visual Symptoms Indicating EAB Woodpecker Damage: Outer bark ridges flecked off Inner bark has different color & texture Woodpecker feeding holes beetle exit holes usually present Lucky EAB Lucky Woodpecker 20
D-Shaped Exit Hole Adult exit sites are small (1/8 inch) holes that are flat on one side S-Shaped Galleries No better evidence than a specimen of the insect Can be seen when tree bark dies and pulls away from the tree 21
Stopping EAB is not realistically possible. Treatment methods are limited and generally cost-prohibitive. Slowing EAB spread is the only option we have. An integrated approach utilizing planning, policy, outreach, and treatments is needed to protect our ash trees for as long as possible. The method adopted is called SLAM SLow Ash Mortality 22
EAB Survey Techniques Trapping Purple Prism Traps (PPT) Lindgren Green Multi- Funnel Trap Visual Inspection Canopy thinning Bark splitting Woodpecker foraging Epicormic sprouting 23
Varies with Pest Pressure Tier I: Early infestation Bark Splitting Woodpecker foraging Tier II: Mid level infestation Woodpecker foraging Canopy thinning Epicormic sprouting Tier III: Heavy infestation Canopy thinning Woodpecker foraging Epicormic sprouting 24
Two Similar Quarantines NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (DAM) Part 141 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Part 192.7 DAM is responsible for permit process Establishes Restricted Zones around known EAB locations and limits movement of Ash material 25
NYS EAB Quarantine 2016 http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/pl/eab.html 26
The insects spend most of their lives under the bark. Human transportation has dramatically increased the spread and many new infestations are due to firewood transport. Spread the message in your communities, especially in quarantined areas. Educational resources: www.dontmovefirewood.org/ 27
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It is illegal to bring untreated* firewood into New York State It is illegal to transport untreated* firewood more than 50 miles from its source When transporting untreated* firewood within 50 miles of its source, you must carry proof of source (such as a receipt) or you may be subject to a fine *Treated firewood has been heated to 71ºC (160ºF) for 75 minutes. Treated firewood can be moved without restriction (It must be properly labeled by the producer). 29
Treating ash trees chemically is just too costly. Long term planning is important. A Management Plan can help identify resources and goals. 30
Have a forester help you to determine what the ash resources are on your woodland. 31
Act Now! Find a good forester to help with planning. After the emerald ash borer kills all the ash on your property, your management options will be restricted. 32
Some sawmills may not be willing to purchase infested ash. Quarantine regulations will affect movement of ash materials. Dead ash may not be accepted as sawtimber. 33
Wetland? Some areas should be left alone to protect a fragile environment. 34
Trails & Roads. Regeneration. Thinning. Tree Planting With good planning work can be spread out! 35
Do you have any questions? Are available to assist with questions on Emerald Ash Borer, and management of your woodlot. Will provide list of Cooperating Foresters to assist with management activities. Glen Roberts & Michael Giocondo 7327 State Route 812 315/376-3521 Lowville, NY 13367 ext. 207 Roberts (Jefferson, Lewis) ext. 203 Giocondo Steven Sherwood 6739 US Hwy 11 315/265-3090 Potsdam, NY 13676 ext. 26138 (St Lawrence) Dan Welc 225 North Main Street 315/866-6330 Herkimer, NY 13350 ext. 125 (Herkimer, Oneida) Dan Sawchuck 2133 County Route 22 315/298-6457 Altmar, NY 13302 (Oswego) Website: www.dec.ny.gov 36
Department of Environmental Conservation Website EAB Quarantine Information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/47761.html Emerald Ash Borer(EAB): www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html Firewood Regulations: www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4079.html Firewood Information: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/28722.html DEC Firewood/EAB Questions - 1-866-640-0652 - E-mail: firewood@dec.ny.gov Other Sources for Information NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets EAB: http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/pi/eab.html USDA-APHIS (Federal Regulations) EAB: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plantpest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/emerald-ash-borer National Firewood Information: http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/ General EAB Information: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ http://www.nyis.info/?action=eab 37