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Emerald Ash Borer Threatens Millions of Trees!

From the 1950’s through the1970’s, Americans learned first hand just how destructive exotic insects can be. During that time, Dutch Elm Disease, a fungal infection caused by non-native beetles, killed millions of elm trees and changed the face of America. Since then, we have watched as other exotic pests, such as the Gypsy Moth and Asian Long-horned Beetle, inflict massive casualties to our nation’s urban forests. Now, another recently discovered exotic insect has already destroyed millions of trees in the great lakes region, and early efforts to curtail the insect’s spread appear futile.

In the summer of 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer was discovered to be responsible for the decline of a significant number of ash trees in six (6) southeastern Michigan counties and two areas of southern Ontario. By the summer of 2005, the small metallic green beetle was known to be killing trees throughout the state of Michigan, as well as in some areas of Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland, and Ontario, Canada. The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive insect, native to Asia, that had previously not been known to exist in North America. Once a tree is infested by the Emerald Ash Borer, decline and death of the tree is a certainty. Due to the highly destructive nature of this forest pest, the United States Department of Agriculture has implemented quarantines in counties known to be infested with the Emerald Ash Borer, prohibiting the movement of live or cut ash wood outside of the infested area. Unfortunately these quarantines are difficult to enforce, allowing for the unintentional transport of infested ash trees and fire wood to areas outside the quarantine zone.

Although a recent survey of Illinois ash trees has turned up no signs of the Emerald Ash Borer, many experts speculate that the insect is indeed present in our state. Residents of Lincolnshire should be aware of the Emerald Ash Borer’s existence and should contact the Village Forester if they notice any significant decline in ash trees. Most importantly, Lincolnshire residents traveling to Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, or into Canada, should under no circumstances bring back ash trees or firewood.

Since very little information is available from the insect’s native region, the state of Michigan and the USDA have formed an Emerald Ash Borer task force to aggressively research the pest and develop options for control and eradication.

More information on the Emerald Ash Borer will be provided in future Lincolnshire Newsletters.

If you have questions regarding this or any other forestry related topics please contact Tony Gliot, the Village Forester, at 847-883-8600.