A new, exotic pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) was recently discovered in southeastern Michigan. This Asian beetle belongs to the same family as the bronze birch borer and two-lined chestneu borer, Bupresidae. It's called the Emerald Ash Borer.
Extensive ash decline and mortality is occuring in Wayne, Macomb, Livingston, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw Counties in southeast Michigan. Both ornamental and natural stands of white, black and green ash are affected.
In response, state agriculture officials have issued a quarantine on all ash trees and timber products in the affected counties to help prevent and control the spread of this pest. Under this quarantine, ash trees, branches, logs, and firewood may not be moved outside the affected area unless certified for movement by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA).
A new pest alert describing the borer and it's damage; a map of the current known distribution of the borer; and a copy of the rews release used by the Michigan Department of Agriculture last week can be found at the following website:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/eab/index.html
Please notify the Michigan DNR Forest Health Program, the Michigan Department of Agriculture or University Forest Entomologist if you find this insect or its damage on ash outside the known infected areas. It also occurs across the river from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario.
Tollfree Hotline: 1-866-325-0023
If it's Asian, then it probably came in on pallets from China. This is the second major pest to come in from Asia in the past 5 years.
When are we going to wise up and have them treat their pallets like Europe is doing to ours? It really makes sense, although it is more expensive.
1. I don't think treating pallets is more expensive if you include the cost of trying to eradicate these foreign bugs and the loss of timber.
2. If they would build re-usable pallets, then the treated pallets could be used several times before they had to be scrapped. This would reduce the cost of treated pallets also.
this interests me as we also have extensive ash decline here in southern NH.
Ash decline isn't due to borers. One of the contributors is thought to be acid rain, thanks to Midwestern power plants.
Maybe the ash will go the way of the flowering dogwood. It's been awhile since I've seen them as they were 30 years ago.
I'd like to say, "Come South", but, as pretty as the trees are, their aren't the trees that there were. The woods used to be full of dogwood and a trip down any highway was like a walk in the garden. I guess I've not noticed the decline as much as some people because it has been so slow. If acid rain is the culprit then the whole country suffers.
now up here in nh i miss the dogwood of my wva days and come to think of it i miss the sassafrass also. was so nice to pull the young root and taste it.
Folks,
I don't know what's causing it but all of the
"wild" ash trees in the small wooded gully
behind my back yard all died off last spring.
About 15-20 trees.
By wild I mean that they were not planted.
I have four that were planted in my back yard
from nursery stock in 1977 that are fine.
Most of the trees that died were 6-8 inches in diameter
but a few were 12-15 inches. I noticed it
when they didn't leaf out in the spring.
I also had several dozen out of about 150 planted pine trees that died off over the last 3-4 years. I think that
pine bark beetles got them but again I am not sure.
I cut all of the dead ones down and burned them.
Back in 1988-1989, these same pine trees were losing
all of their needles. A closer inspection revealed
thousands of worms all over the trees. I took a couple
to the local lawn and garden nursery and they
said that they were saw fly larva. I bought a quart or
two of evergreen spray and about three 75 foot sections
of garden hose and sprayed all of the trees.
The larva all dropped off the trees and immediately died.
An isolated pocket of Emerald Ash Borer was just confirmed in Lucas County Ohio. I had the opportunity to look at the site, this thing is not pretty and is going to be very tough to survey for. Has anyone had the chance to take a look at the damage in Michigan?
News Release and a few pictures
http://www.state.oh.us/agr/PLNT-eabindex.html
Here are some pics that Swamp took that he will have comments for. Some nasty results from this pest. We may lose a lot of our Ash. They are talking possibly on the scale of the dutch elm.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/EAB_Exit%20hole2.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/EAB_galleries2mod.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/EAB_Larvae%20ready%20to%20pupate.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/woodpecker.jpg)
Thanks for posting the pictures Jeff.
Pic #1 - You can see gallery activity and the characteristic "D" shaped exit hole.
Pic #2 - Like #1, this is with the bark removed, this is the only known borer that has this type of activity on ash.
Pic #3 - Unlike the USDA fact sheet, where the larvae look lime green, it's actually a milky white. The larvae of Agrilus species tend to get into a U-shape prior to pupation.
Pic #4 - This is what the bark of the trees looked like due to woodpecker activity. These things must be tasty because the trees were absolutely covered with woodpecker holes.
It's unknown how the insect jumped from where it was in Michigan to Ohio. It almost has to have been moved by a human, probably in firewood. Respect quarantines!
That's scary :o :( :'(
If you have ash you should be afraid. Very Afraid. From what I am hearing is that they may try to actually eliminate the ash species from infected areas to try to stop the spread. I doubt if they can contain this. Looking at swamps photos, its pretty apparent that they can't.
that is preeeety freaky! i hope it dont come up north, are them the only two states with the problem? id like to see some pics of what its done overseas. im a gunna shoe some snow this afternoon an keep my eyes peeled. they look like they would make some pretty cabin logs.
The borer is native to Asia, since it has evolved with the ash over there it isn't a huge problem. Actually when they originally discovered this insect, no one could figure out what it was. It got bounced around to different labs, I think someone in Britian eventually came back with the answer.
The USFS people that have been working on this is Michigan came down to Ohio to help identify it. I got a chance to pick some of their brains about it. They estimated this damage (in Ohio) started probably 3 yrs ago. The borer will start near where the crown forks, usually 4-6" material and then move down the tree. What that says to me is that it is going to be very tough to survey for, since climbing 50 feet up every ash tree just isn't going to happen. The Ohio Dept. of Agriculture is coming up with a plan to deal with our infestation. As I understand it, the original plan in Michigan was to create a 3 mile wide "fire break" around infested areas where every ash tree would be taken down. Hopefully it isn't too late for that plan to work out. Don't know about Michigan, but ash is common in nearly every forest type in Ohio. I'm probably paranoid, but I'm afraid that if this insect isn't controlled quick, ash will end up being like elm, still common, but never like it used to be.
I had a sawing customer call today, seems he has some ash trees he needs cut up. He told me that all the tops have fallen out of them.
When he cut them down he found black beetles in them, Does not sound like the ash borer, I hope to get some pics later this month when I saw them up.
Adults are dark metallic green (Emerald) in color, measuring approximately 1/2 inch long and 1/16 inch wide, and are present from May until late june.
Larvae are creamy white color and can be found under the bark of affected trees as noted in Swamp's photos above.
It infects all ash trees in Michigan, white, black, and green. Infested trees exhibit top-down dieback.
Report any suspected infestations to the Emerald Ash Borer Hot Line at 866-325-0023
I assume the adult beetles can fly. How far can they fly seeking other trees to infect? I've got a few nice ash around the place and some real nice regen in a spot. I'd really hate to lose any of it. Then if the Beech bug comes along there they go and if the Asian Long-Horned Beetle shows up... >:( :( :'( Are we going to have any native species left or are we going to have to reforest with Asian varieties? ::)
Yes, the emerald ash borer is a good flier, but human activities are the primary cause of long distance spread. This includes moving infested trees, logs, and firewood.
Transporting ash firewood from a southern Michigan woodlot to a northern Michigan deer camp is not a good idea so hopefully the quarantine is respected.
It seems that there is always somethin "new" attacking our trees.
See press release:
http://www.mda.state.md.us/press/eabadv.htm
The pest reportedly came in on infested nursery stock that traveled from Michigan to Tennessee to Maryland via the trade. A State inspector conducting a routine inspection for fire ants made the intial discovery, which was later confirmed by appropriate agencies. Most units were destroyed, but 20 infested trees have been sold and are at unknown locations in the landscape. MDA is working with nurserymen to research records and determine locations of buyers of affected stock. Surveys are planned. Ash is not a significant component of forests in the vicinity of the nursery, so surveys will focus on urban areas where ash is present at that location.
Just to let you know, you don't have to totaly waste an infected tree. Here in Michigan there is a company called Last Chance Logs to Lumber. They have permission from the state to saw the logs as long as the outer 2 inches are peeled and properly disposed of. They are keeping thousands of board feet of perfectly good Ash out of the fireplace and in this case a wood fired electricity plant. If anyone in in the Detroit MI area and wants to save some of their Ash for boards they can contact this company. I have 1 tree and my neighbor has a second (whicl looks like it is infected). My tree is estimated to have about 600 board feet of usable wood. It only costs about 40 cents to have it milled. Not bad. I noticed they are listed in the Find-A-Sawyer function on this board if anyone is interested. I also have their phone number.
Regards
Tim
Last chance is our member atlast. I'm the one who put him in contact with my friends at the DNR. Lots of good has started on this forum.
I personally appreciate the friendship with you Jeff and all the others I have had the pleasure of meeting on this Fourm. You sent me in the right direction Jeff and since than I have made it all the way to the Govs desk. Ive never been to so many meetings in my entire life. I have DEFINATELY learned more than I care to admit about the " wheels of government" I have and will continue to approach the people I come in contact with in regards to helping sponser this fourm. The Urban and Community Forestry section of the DNR and Last Chance Logs to Lumber are working together towards an end result of making Michigan a leader in the reclaiming and recycling of Urban Natural Resources. Thanks again Jeff
Hurray!
You did what I ask of you the first time we talked. Do you remember?
;D JEFF!!...OF COURSE!!....like I said in the post...its rediculas the hoops ya gotts jump through ..getting through to " people" is unbelievebale!!!...and now-a-day asking for money is WORSE than pullin teeth....BUT..I am persistant in it and I REALLY think is will pay off.... 8)
I Asked AtLast to make the forum proud. I believe he has. Way to go Chris!
I wasn't sure where to post this, thought it might be of interest.
article 1 (http://www.freep.com/features/living/eab19_20040119.htm)
article 2 (http://www.freep.com/features/living/eside19_20040119.htm)
link to more info (http://www.emeraldashborer.info/)
I too am a Michigander and have heard lots of wonderful things about Last Chance Logs to Lumber. He's doing a great job !
Ron:
I've seen the odd golden Buprestid and metalic green colored one once in awhile. But, these buggers do make large bore holes coming and going from the wood. Oval hole going in (flat-headed borer) and out. They will certainly hit white pine fast in late spring, early summer. I've seen them in dead hardwood boles I chopped up for firewood for my lean too's in the bush. I didn't cook'm over the open fire though. Eat them raw like on 'Fear Factor' , just like corn with a tail twitchin. ;)
regards ;D
Currently the state and the feds are clear cutting all ash around 2 infestations West and South of Lansing Michigan. I hate to admit to pessemism, but Most of the locals I've talked to have little hope of eradicating these bugs. As the son of a MSU entomologist, I can only attest to how difficult it is to control an insect of which little is known about their life cycle. My dad studied flies, and let me tell you, there are a lot of strange and mysterious habits these little critters have. For instance, one species is found at the top of the highest point of the surrounding topography for 2 hours in the hotest period of the day. Usually on the top of the highest tree. Then they disperse for the rest of the day. You have to concider that 1 or 2 beetles could fly outside the containment area. How about 1 or 2 hitching a ride on a car. It's depressing to think about. I hope some chemical warfare is found to be effective in eradicating these bugs. As much as I dislike chemical controls, it seems like the best compromise.
Yeah a friend of mine researches best management practices for the southern pine beetle at VT, he's a research associate there. The bug is a major best in pine plantations. I was down to see its works in stands in NC and TN. They work fast and folks were trying to harvest the 30 year old plantations ahead of it. We were on some Bowater limits sampling stands in 2001 (my friend was rather). Hey!, I did hold the D-tape. ;)
cheers
Windsor is cutting a 20 mile long path 6 miles wide between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.
I had a link but I can't find it. If anyone wants the link, let me know I'll keep looking. :-/
I be interested Furby
thanks
yup, me too.
Ok guys, here's the deal. I found the article, but I can't get to it.
The only way I could find it was through a search. I clicked on the article link the search showed and no go. So I did a search for the name of the article and of course, it don't exist. :-/ ::)
I guess you could order a back issue if you really want to.
Wait maybe Jeff has an idea, oh Jeff ?????????
It's the Feb. 6 issue of the Detroit Free Press ( freep.com (http://www.freep.com/) ) and the article is: Canada cuts ash trees in borer fight.
Or does anyone have it laying around?
Here's the link Furby et al
http://www.freep.com/features/living/ash6_20040206.htm
Thankss SD! That's the very same one I was after but it kept telling me was gone. :-/
Furby:
Sometimes servers go down temporarily, right Jeff? ;)
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
That's funny!!!
The sever was working fine, I got every other link I tried and I tried a lot of them at that site. :-/
I forgot to post this the other day, but I thought it would make a good example of what just one incident can lead to.
Link (http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1079781479283510.xml?grpress?NEG)