Emerald Ash Borer Moves Closer to the Seacoast
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), the invasive beetle that is killing ash trees in the US at an alarming rate, has been detected in North Andover, MA. That’s just 3 miles from the NH border, and 30 miles from Portsmouth. As a result, Essex County, MA has placed a quarantine on the transportation of firewood and untreated lumber. EAB was detected in Concord, NH in 2013 and a similar quarantine is in effect for Merrimack County. If we want to save our ash trees, it’s time to start treating ash trees on the Seacoast.
The discovery of EAB in North Andover was lucky, and it shows how we can all help keep an eye out for the spread of this pest. Matthew Mountzuris noticed a stand of trees with dead canopies and increased woodpecker activity and called the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts. Turns out they were all white ash, and all infected.
Here’s what you can do:
Burn It Where You Buy It: If you only take one thing away from this article, it should be this: Don’t transport firewood! If you’re going camping, or know anyone who is, tell them not to bring their own firewood but buy it locally at the campsite. Experts agree that the transportation of firewood can move invasive pests hundreds of miles and is one of the biggest threats to our ash trees. (And if you do buy firewood at the campsite don’t bring any back with you.) If you buy firewood to heat your home, ensure it is locally sourced (and preferably kiln dried).
Identification and Inspection: If you don’t how to identify an ash tree, go to www.nhbugs.org. This site is the best resource for current information on EAB in New Hampshire. The site has great information and links on how to identify ash trees and how to inspect your trees for infestation. Learn what signs and symptoms to look for, and inspect your property thoroughly. If you find signs of infestation, you can submit a report at the NH Bugs site. If you see trees this spring that have dead or dying canopies, that’s a great indication of a potential problem.
Spread the Word (and Keep Yourself Informed): Tell your neighbors and friends who own property with ash trees about the EAB. Stay current on the latest news, treatment options and the spread of the infestation. As the experts learn more about what works and what doesn’t treatments are changing and evolving. The United States Department of Agriculture has a great site at http://stopthebeetle.info which has a wealth of information to keep you up to date, as well as some fun projects that will help your kids learn about the EAB, too.
Treatment: Best treatment options for EAB is surrounded by debate and conjecture, and is best left to professionals who have kept current the latest research. The Seacoast, and the Great Bay in particular, are extremely sensitive areas and misuse of insecticides can kill wildlife and endanger our ecosystem. Initial intensive studies by Michigan State University have shown trunk injection treatments with emamectin benzoate to be up to 99% effective and last as long as 3 years, so there is hope. There are also ongoing studies of non-stinging parasitic wasps that are a natural predator, and these show great promise.
The Emerald Ash Borer has already killed millions of trees, and the spread has continued every year since it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. Let’s all make it a priority to protect our region against the spread of the EAB. In turn, we’ll be protecting our forests, our Seacoast, our campsites, our fishing holes, and our neighborhoods. Help keep yourself up to date with some of these online resources:
www.nhbugs.org
www.stopthebeetle.info
www.emeraldashborer.info
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