Monday, March 20, 2006
EMRALD ASH BORER EAB
Emeralds in Danger
Michgan sees devastating effects of Emrald Ash Borer
In the short span of five years, fifteen million Erald Ash trees have been either destroyed or infested by the exotic pest known as the Emrald Ash Borer or EAB.
The damage is taking place this minute, and no completly efective method has been invented to stop the rapid spread of the Asian beetle.
Mighican alone is estimated to have a population of 700 million ash trees, all of which are in serious danger of being killed by the EAB according to the deptartment of agriculture. The state has responded to the threat aggressively, enacting a statewide quarantine to stop the spead of the pest and has set up a team of experts and officials from government agencies and universities to create a comprehnsive method that would enable them to detect and eliminate the EAB. The beetle has spread to parts of Winsor and Ontario creating an international alert for Emrals Ash trees.
It is difficult to detect if a tree is infested early on because the trees do not show symtoms until they are already destroyed. The top of the tree goes first, thinning out and dying, then numerous shoots will be seen coming out of the lower branches that have yet to be destroyed.
The EAB attacks the tree as larvae, destroying the bark and preventing the trees ability to transport water and nurtrients according to Emrald Ash Borer's information website. Research is still being conducted to find out more about this exotic pest. Little is known about it at the moment.
The beetle is thought to have gotten into Michigan though wood package imports from Asia, though scientists are not positive of the method of its arrival.
Insecticide treatment has shown to be effective in preventing Ash tree from being infested by the EAB, and it recomended to home owners with Emrald Ash trees on their property seek preventative methods to pretect their trees. The earlier it is prevented the less chances of your trees becoming infested.
"People should start now. Don't wait until the trees are dying." said Michigan State University's Entomologist David Smitley.
It is also possible to hire trained professionals known as arborists to handle your concerns with any trees you might have on your property.
Michigan has multiple strategies geared at halting the spread of the EAB which include:
Enforcing the quarantine restricting movement of ash trees and materials
Providing sanitation and disposal options
Conducting ongoing surveys to ensure that the pest is not spreading or to quickly detect potential additional infestations
Conducting much-needed research into the pest's biology and identifying potential control options
Ensuring community and homeowner education, outreach and awareness; and
Facilitating tree restoration/replacement wherever possible
Michgan sees devastating effects of Emrald Ash Borer
In the short span of five years, fifteen million Erald Ash trees have been either destroyed or infested by the exotic pest known as the Emrald Ash Borer or EAB.
The damage is taking place this minute, and no completly efective method has been invented to stop the rapid spread of the Asian beetle.
Mighican alone is estimated to have a population of 700 million ash trees, all of which are in serious danger of being killed by the EAB according to the deptartment of agriculture. The state has responded to the threat aggressively, enacting a statewide quarantine to stop the spead of the pest and has set up a team of experts and officials from government agencies and universities to create a comprehnsive method that would enable them to detect and eliminate the EAB. The beetle has spread to parts of Winsor and Ontario creating an international alert for Emrals Ash trees.
It is difficult to detect if a tree is infested early on because the trees do not show symtoms until they are already destroyed. The top of the tree goes first, thinning out and dying, then numerous shoots will be seen coming out of the lower branches that have yet to be destroyed.
The EAB attacks the tree as larvae, destroying the bark and preventing the trees ability to transport water and nurtrients according to Emrald Ash Borer's information website. Research is still being conducted to find out more about this exotic pest. Little is known about it at the moment.
The beetle is thought to have gotten into Michigan though wood package imports from Asia, though scientists are not positive of the method of its arrival.
Insecticide treatment has shown to be effective in preventing Ash tree from being infested by the EAB, and it recomended to home owners with Emrald Ash trees on their property seek preventative methods to pretect their trees. The earlier it is prevented the less chances of your trees becoming infested.
"People should start now. Don't wait until the trees are dying." said Michigan State University's Entomologist David Smitley.
It is also possible to hire trained professionals known as arborists to handle your concerns with any trees you might have on your property.
Michigan has multiple strategies geared at halting the spread of the EAB which include:
Facilitating tree restoration/replacement wherever possible
# posted by Minni @ 4:13 PM 
