Emerald Ash Borer

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SeanD

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Dec 5, 2005
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I live in western Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh. An EAB was discovered in an ash tree near the PA turnpike a few days ago. Not so coincidentally we watched an ash tree die over the past 3 years in our front yard. Had the classic signs of emerald ash borer; crown dying, lots of woodpecker holes, bark seperating from the tree. When we heard about the turnpike case we called the US Dept of Agriculture to let them know about our experience. They just left. It is confirmed - our ash died from emerald ash borer infestation. I could kick myself. We watched this happen and didn't do anything. We went to a local nursery when we first noticed the symptoms but, in retrospect, should have called the department of agriculture or something along those lines.
As people who scrounge wood to heat, we see dead trees all the time. In a way we are the first line of defense. If you see something out of the ordinary call your state's ag department.
While they were here we learned that they have found several cases of EAB in our area. The 6 counties around Pittsburgh are quarantined for moving firewood, mulch and ash trees.
 
Im pretty sure once you see the signs of it, its too late. Alot of people have wasted alot of money trying to protect their trees just for it to kill them. I don't like to see our ash's dying, but I do get firewood from them. There are alot of counties here in Ohio that are under quarantine.
 
Yikes...

Burning the trees would kill the beetle, and so would the elimination of all ash trees. :( I have a beautiful white ash in my front lawn. I just hope it stays for a long time.

Around here (Northern Philly suburbs) we are battling the Asian Stink Bug. These critters eat fruits and are also a nuisance since they find any way possible to enter your home especially during the cold months.

Thanks for the heads up. I once saw a map of the infected area and it seemed that it was mostly in the Chicago area (if I am not mistaken). But news of it moving to Pennsylvania, and who knows where else, is not good.
 
It's all over southern MI (the origin of the infestation) and OH, and I think IN as well. An infested ash tree was (illegally) transported to MD from MI, and so one county there is under quarantine also (they think they caught it in time). Eventually the whole upper midwest will be infested it seems. They've tried preemptively cutting all ash trees in certain areas, but that hasn't worked. Some progress with chemicals on yard trees (but too $$ for widespread use) and they are planning to introduce a Chinese wasp that feeds on EAB.
 
It's a big concern in southern WI also. There are bans on transporting firewood, especially to campgrounds and state forests.
 
I too have a tree that sounds like this, maybe two. I'm just waiting to see how they do. I love ash for firewood, but I"m not willing to cut them just tho cut them. How do you tell other than the dying crown and sparse leaves?
 
When I split my hardwoods, oak cherry and others I almost always see boring grubs, sometimes in the heart of the tree!

I never know what the heck they are, Ash borers or whatever. I look on the internet and almost all grubs look the same.

I always kill them when I see them but I know tons are left in my splits.

Do you think the ones in teh splits will remain in the splits even during drying? Does anyone know if a grub knocked to the ground will die or will it crawl to some other log or tree and propogate the problem.

I really see how these bugs can spread since I get my hardwood logs for free from tree companies who just drop them off in my yard.

I hate the little grossies.
 
I think $50 would get me to pop one in my mouth... Otherwise I throw the live ones on the driveway. Robins and Catbirds swoop down and eat them...
 
gman1001 said:
I think $50 would get me to pop one in my mouth... Otherwise I throw the live ones on the driveway. Robins and Catbirds swoop down and eat them...
Click to expand...

Sounds like we may have to take up another collection.
 
gman1001 said:
When I split my hardwoods, oak cherry and others I almost always see boring grubs, sometimes in the heart of the tree!

I never know what the heck they are, Ash borers or whatever. I look on the internet and almost all grubs look the same.

I always kill them when I see them but I know tons are left in my splits.

Do you think the ones in teh splits will remain in the splits even during drying? Does anyone know if a grub knocked to the ground will die or will it crawl to some other log or tree and propogate the problem.

I really see how these bugs can spread since I get my hardwood logs for free from tree companies who just drop them off in my yard.

I hate the little grossies.
Click to expand...

The vast majority of borers only go for dead/dying trees/logs. Pretty much any wood that spends time on the ground will have lots of them. Some other kinds do attack healthy trees but bore straight through the wood (you see this in oak a lot) without really hurting the tree. EAB infests live, previously healthy trees, and the larva eats tunnels around the tree under the bark, girdling the tree. That's why it's a particular problem. The other kinds, you can ignore. They'll dry up and die on their own. They can't crawl on the ground that I've seen.
 
Warren,
Tha absolute proof is the shape of the exit hole in the tree trunk. If it is shaped like a "D", as opposed to round or oval, it is the emerald ash borer. Monday when I am back in the office I will scan pictures and post them.
Sean
 
Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Stink Bug, American Elm Beetle, Gypsy Moth.. the list goes on and on. Human activity is great for unwittingly spreading nature's creatures from place to place. Its that way with plants as well, multiflora rose, Russian olive, the aquatics such as milfoil, whatever those nasty little mussels are that are screwing up the Great Lakes. I think our species is the ultimate homogenizing and composting organism. We pull the planet's insides to the surface on a grand scale, spread everything everywhere, change its composition from solid to liguid, liguid to gas. Eventually we may "composte" our race right out of a home!! Rant, rant :snake: Sorry, %-P Back to the EAB, let's hope those Chinese wasps like it here and can start to bring the critters back into balance. For all of you in the infested areas, about what percentage of the ash have been affected? Do you still have some ash? will it all be gone soon?
 
I just hope the law of unintended consequences doesn't kick in with regard to the Chinese wasps.
 
MrGriz said:
I just hope the law of unintended consequences doesn't kick in with regard to the Chinese wasps.
Click to expand...
What's that quote "forgive them, they know not what they do"! :bug:
 
Sometimes humans have inadvertently done some good things. Most people don't realize that the honeybee is a domestic beast. It's not native to the Americas, but was instead introduced, first to South America, then North America.

In the recent Jamestown article in the National Geographic there's a mention of the reintroduction of the earthworm. Apparently the earthworm on the east coast was wiped out due to the last ice age. It was reintroduced when ships bringing early settlers dumped their soil and rock ballast out after making the crossing.
 
In central Michigan they have been doing much damage. So far in our woods they aren't bad. We've noticed a couple with he D holes and cut those quickly (and burned them too). We also cut several for lumber and may cut a few more. Much better than buying the lumber at the lumber yard. We have a portable mill come in every couple of years and this fellow does a good job.

I haven't been back to check them lately but will be checking them soon. Hopefully all is well.
 
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