According to the US Department of Agriculture, the tiny emerald ash borer of glitter-green colour that has come from China and has threatened ash trees in the East is in the United States now. As revealed by the department the ash borer has hit North America. It can possibly cost about $4 to $8 million over the next decade and could also destroy millions of ash trees as told by a top forester of the authority.
There are over 900 million ash trees in New York that represent 7 % of all the trees of the state. All are, at the moment, at risk of the ash borer. Ash trees in the suburban areas as well as in cities are at a greater risk while small trees planted as ornamental trees are also not spared.
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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive species and luckily earlier there were no predators, belonging to the species, in the United States. The larva of this ash borer takes its feed out of the plant’s water and nutrient uptake resulting in the death of the tree.
It was first identified in Cattaraugus County of New York in 2009. The insect can easily be recognized by its green colour. After being found in New York, the borer has stepped up to invade about 24 counties. Thankfully the affected areas are small in size and localized while, it is good to know, that about 98 % of New York’s forests, as well as communities, are not infested yet.
There are over 900 million ash trees in New York that represent 7 % of all the trees of the state. All are, at the moment, at risk of the ash borer. Ash trees in the suburban areas as well as in cities are at a greater risk while small trees planted as ornamental trees are also not spared.
Another bothering confirmation by the US department of Agriculture is that the borer has also invaded the white fringe tree. Department of Environmental Conservation New York or DEC says that Slow Ash Mortality (SLAM) is used. Trees that are infected by the pest will be removed. Moreover work will be done to find insecticides that could destroy the pest. Monitoring of the suspected areas will be continued.
This archive content was originally published November 5, 2014 (www.betawired.com)