ST. LAWRENCE EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Ash Tree ID & Signs of EAB Video
If you think you may have an EAB infestation, call the DEC EAB and Firewood hotline: 1-866-640-0652.
DESCRIPTION:
The emerald ash borer, commonly referred to as EAB (Agrilus planipennis) is an Asian variety of wood-boring beetle that infests and kills species of North American ash (Fraxinus spp.). This pest was first discovered in the U.S. in 2002 in Michigan and has spread rapidly through the U.S. by means of infested firewood.
DISTRIBUTION:
Emerald ash borer is currently found throughout New York State. It has been confirmed to be within SLELO PRISM boundaries in St. Lawrence, Oneida, and Oswego Counties. The SLELO partnership is engaged in multiple efforts to raise awareness and help prepare communities for the costs and liabilities associated with EAB infestations.
Click Here to view a map of EAB infestations in and near SLELO boundaries. Click Here to view zones in St. Lawrence County within five miles of a known EAB infestation.
IMPACTS:
The larvae of emerald ash borers burrow tunnels and feed on the cambium layer just under the bark of ash trees. This feeding cuts of the nutrient supply to the infested tree eventually leading to tree mortality. Infested trees become weak and the branches become brittle and fall off causing infested trees to become a costly liability to municipalities and homeowners. EAB is already responsible for the destruction of over 50 million ash trees in the U.S. and New York is faced to lose a large majority of its ash population. There are insecticide treatment options that can protect ash trees but this option is most feasible for homeowners who have few ash trees on their property or municipalities who want to preserve urban green space. To learn more about treatment options view the resource links at the bottom of this page.
IDENTIFICATION:
Adults are roughly 3/8 to 5/8 inches long with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. They may be present from late May through early September but are most common in June and July.
larvae are white in color and about 1 inch in size with bell-shaped segmented bodies.
SIGNS OF INFESTATION: include S-shaped larval tunnels under bark, woodpecker damage, canopy dieback, epicormic sprouts (sprouting from typically the base of the tree), woodpecker damage, bark cracks, yellowing, and browning of leaves, D-shaped exit holes in ash tree bark. There are native borers that cause similar symptoms, to learn more CLICK HERE
CONTROL/MANAGEMENT:
EAB infestations weaken ash trees making them a safety liability to people and property. Therefore, ash trees that are located within public areas, roadways, or near power lines or buildings will have to be managed. DEC foresters have knowledge and expertise on how to manage EAB and are available to answer questions.
There are chemical treatment options available to protect ash trees from EAB, but the success of treatments depends on multiple factors such as the time of year, the health and age of the tree, and EAB infestation density.
When chemical treatment isn’t feasible, cutting is the next option. Quarantine laws forbid the movement of infested wood, and infested ash trees are more costly and dangerous to remove. Therefore, the removal of ash trees that will not be protected chemically is best done prior to infestation.
Ash trees that are not located in areas that pose a threat to people or property could serve as good candidates for lingering ash research.
Below are resources to help determine the management strategy.
GET INVOLVED:
Join the SLELO PRISM volunteer EAB Monitoring Network, to join Click Here
Or Contact Megan Pistolese the SLELO Education/Outreach Coordinator at 315-387-3600 x7724.
COMMUNITY-BASED GUIDANCE:
The St. Lawrence County Emerald Ash Borer Task Force is an excellent resource for EAB preparedness and management guidance.
To learn more, contact John Tenbusch, 315-379-2292, jtenbusch@stlawco.org , or Aaron Barrigar aaron@slcswcd.org 315-386-3582.
MUNICIPAL TREE MANAGEMENT PLANS:
RESOURCE LINKS:
Recommendations for landowners, municipalities and wood producers
Community Preparedness Guidance:
Videos/Documentaries:
General Information:
Photo Credits:
Title photo: Wisconsin’s Emerald Ash Borer Information Source, https://datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/eab/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1.
PREVENTION
Prevent the introduction of invasive species into the SLELO PRISM.
EARLY DETECTION & RAPID RESPONSE
Rapidly detect new and recent invaders and eliminate all individuals within a specific area.
COOPERATION
Share resources, including funding personnel, equipment, information, and expertise.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Collect, utilize, and share information regarding surveys, infestations, control methods, monitoring, and research.
CONTROL
Control invasive species infestations by using best management practices, methods and techniques to include: ERADICATION (which is to eliminate all individuals and the seed bank from an area), CONTAINMENT (which is reducing the spread of established infestations from entering an uninfested area) and SUPPRESSION which is to reduce the density but not necessarily the total infested area.
RESTORATION
Develop and implement effective restoration methods for areas that have been degraded by invasive species and where suppression or control has taken place.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Increase public awareness and understanding of invasive species.
INNOVATION
Develop and implement innovative technologies that help us to better understand, visualize, alleviate or manage invasive species and their impacts or that serve to strengthen ecosystem function and/or processes.
Rob Williams
PRISM Coordinator
Megan Pistolese
Outreach and Education
Brittney Rogers
Aquatic Invasive Species
Robert Smith
Terrestrial Invasive Species
Zack Simek
Conservation and GIS Analyst
