Emerald Ash Borer Update
EAB is still Public Enemy #1
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is still public enemy #1 in our region. It is an invasive pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S. since it found its way here from Asia in 2002. It was first discovered in New York State in 2009 and it is estimated that about 5% of all ash trees in the state have been infected so far. In 2012, Connecticut became the 16th state to have EAB within its borders and it has affected 1/3 of the state’s communities. The beetle was spotted in Bridgewater, New Jersey in 2014 and has quickly spread to 5 counties so far.
Federal, state and local agencies are doing their best slow down the spread of this invasive beetle in public forests and urban areas. Methods that are used to control EAB include destroying infected trees, quarantining trees and firewood in regions with infestations and, in some cases, inoculating ash trees to resist infestations.
Scientists from Vassar College may have recently found a possible solution for EAB when they discovered Oobius agrili, an Asian wasp that is a parasite of the Emerald Ash Borer’s eggs. The USDA has approved this method of combating EAB. So far, over 9 million wasps have been released among ash trees in an effort to slow down this deadly pest.
Infestation by Emerald Ash Borer is inevitable in our region. However, trees can be preserved if they are inoculated before they are infected. Talk to your Almstead arborist to find out how you can protect your ash trees from EAB. A health assessment of the ash trees in question as well as its overall contribution to the landscape and a cost analysis should be evaluated prior to treatment.
LOCATIONS:
Lower Westchester County, NY and New York City
58 Beechwood Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801
914-576-0193
Upper Westchester (North of I-287)
15 Broadway, Hawthorne, NY 10532
914-741-1510
Fairfield County, Connecticut
80 Lincoln Avenue, Stamford CT 06902
203-348-4111
Bergen & Passaic Counties, NJ
504 High Mountain Road, North Haledon, NJ 07508
973-636-6711
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