If you want to just look at post, you do NOT need an account.
But, if you want to post comments you need to open an account. Please:
Click Here to apply for an account.

Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Discussions about all wildlife, trees, plants, flowers, and geology
Post Reply
User avatar
dave
Posts: 712
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Acra New York

Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by dave »

On July 15, 2010 New York State and Federal Officials found the first Asian Emerald Ash Borer in a trap in a campground in Saugerties New York. On July 21, 2010, they found a second Ash Borer. Officials are not naming the campground. NYS DEC has 7,500 purple traps in New York. Below are some pictures of the metallic green bugs:

UPDATE #1: The NYS DEC has released more information about the unexpected infestation. The center if the infestation is Ruby, NY, which is in between Lake Katrine and Saugerties. The infestation is about 15 sq miles. They have also have discovered The Emerald Ash Borer inside the NYS Forest Preserve. NYS is evaluating what should be done. At this time, they know of 19 infection sides for the Emerald Ash Borer. One of the sites is in Catskill, NY. If you find the EAB on your property or other location you should call (866) 640-0652. You can read the statement from the NYS DEC here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/67572.html (Aug 4)

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Emerald Ash Borers were first discovered in south-eastern Michigan in 2002. Since that time they have spread up to Minnesota and to Western New York. The disturbing part of this discovery is that there is a jump of hundreds of miles between western New York and eastern New York. It is assumed that they introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer is because of illegal movement of firewood to Saugerties New York. This fact is absolutely devastating. It is worthy of noting that it is now illegal to transport firewood more then 50 miles from the source. If you do transport more then 50 miles, please burn it immediately. Do not return it.

Image

Federal and State officials have been searching for a ways to stop or eradicate the Asian Emerald Ash Borer. But so far, they have not even been able to slow the spread down. Some officials now state that it is impossible to stop them or kill them.

New York State has 900 million Ash trees (green, white, black, and blue ash). Ash trees in New York comprise 7% of all trees in New York. New York is known to have a high population density of Ash trees as compared other states. Vermont, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Minnesota also have large populations of Ash Trees. Here is a map:

Image

Emerald Ash Borers will bore a D-shaped hole in Ash trees. They will lay larvae which bore under the bark and kill the tree.

Image
Image

Links: NYS DEC: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/67181.html
Emerald Ash Borer Website: http://www.emeraldashborer.info
User avatar
mike
Posts: 1442
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:20 pm
Location: Ravena, NY

Re: Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by mike »

Here is a picture of where Ruby, NY is:

Image

Dave: Have you been out looking for them around you?

Ground zero for the Emerald Ash Borer is pretty close to the Thruway. Is there any evidence that the EAB came off fire wood in a trailer traveling the Thruway?

This is going to be devastating for NY, VT, and MA. Much of the Louisville sluggers come from Ash trees around here. Any talk about that?
mtnclimber
Posts: 496
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:46 pm

Re: Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by mtnclimber »

Yikes! Doesn't sound good at all. From what I have heard, they are almost impossible to get rid of.
User avatar
alexis
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:12 pm
Location: Kingston NY

Re: Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by alexis »

Pretty little critters. Too bad they are so destructive.
mtnclimber
Posts: 496
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:46 pm

Re: Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by mtnclimber »

Do you have a list of the 19 sites where the EAB has been found?

Is it possible that the Emerald Ash Borer came from the NYS thruway? Seems like they have been here longer then July 15th.
User avatar
dave
Posts: 712
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Acra New York

Re: Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by dave »

i have seen a list of towns where they are located. But, the DEC is not providing us with a list of specific locations where the Emerald Ash Borer has been found. Not sure why we can't know.

With one of the new locations being Catskill NY, you would think that some of the EAB were falling/blowing off as a vehicle drove up the the Thruway.
User avatar
dave
Posts: 712
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Acra New York

Re: Emerald Ash Borer is here!

Unread post by dave »

A month ago, the DEC stated that they were pretty sure that they could stop the EAB in their tracks. But, their effort didn't work. The DEC has now given up on stopping them. At this point they are looking to slow them down. The DEC has now conceded that the EAB is unstoppable. This is the same resolution that Minnesota and Wisconsin came too. They were very aggressive on combating the EAB, and failed.

They recently met with loggers to get their input on what to do. One good suggestion was to cut down all the Ash trees so that they EAB will die due to no food. Then go back and replant the Ash trees. The DEC doesn't like this idea. But, in reality, it is probably the best idea. The DEC was ill prepared for this problem. And, now we have learned that they don't have a plan for the end game.

The Catskill Mountains supply most of the Ash logs to make baseball bats, like the Louisville Slugger.

There has been talk that the DEC may put a stop to all movement of firewood. We don't believe that this is going to happen. But, people need to be very careful when transporting firewood.
Post Reply