Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Emerald Ash Borer: An Introduction David Cappaert, Michigan State University, bugwood.org

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer What to look for in the trees Varies with Pest Pressure Tier I: Early infestation (hard to identify early EAB infestations) Bark Splitting Woodpecker foraging Tier II: Mid level infestation Woodpecker foraging Canopy thinning Epicormic sprouting Tier III: Heavy infestation Canopy thinning Woodpecker foraging Epicormic sprouting Bugwood.org

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms EAB infestations start in the upper part of the tree EAB likes open grown or edge trees first (generally warmer) It takes 2-3 years to kill a tree once a large infestation occurs

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms: Bark Splitting Note the galleries under the crack Crack

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms Bark splitting

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms Woodpecker foraging

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms Woodpecker foraging Woodpecker hole

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms Epicormic, or water sprouting

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms David Cappaert, Michigan State University, bugwood.org

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms: Canopy Thinning

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer So, what can you do?

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Management Options SLAM SLow Ash Mortality = SLAM – Survey Early Detection – Visual signs and symptoms – Purple traps and girdled trees – Population reduction Remove infested trees and destroy EAB Attractive clusters of girdled trees – Removed and destroyed after egg laying

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Control Options Resistance – ID and incorporate genetically into native species Biological Control – Parasitoid wasps in culture (Asian and native). Fungus a possibility. (USDA FS NRS, Biological Control of the Emerald Ash Borer, 2010) Silviculture – tried but not successful for control Mechanical – chipping to 1 inch in 2 dimensions Pesticides – Systemics are the only effective pesticides

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Community Trees: Remove Based on a small poll of some CNY communities, the average cost to remove a street tree is $440. – Range of $150 to $1325 per tree Size of tree, condition of tree, location of tree, and contractor versus staff all affect price. – Residential Trees can be even more Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Community Trees: Pesticides Can kill EAB in an ash (up to 40% infested) – Do not apply if EAB is more than 10 miles away – Effectiveness varies Imidacloprid – only non-professional chemical registered Emamectin benzoate (Tree-age) – most effective Azadirachtin (TreeAzin) – neem seed product, inconclusive – Frequency of application (every 1 or 2 years) EAB may persist in an area for more than 10 years???

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Pesticides Issues (continued) – Size of Trees – ineffective spread in crown of old trees aesthetic considerations – is this the same tree you intended to save?

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Forests and Wild Trees Don’t rush, make CALCULATED DECISIONS Identify Your ASSETS Develop Response PLANS SURVEY regularly for EAB Be Prepared to ACT PROMPTLY Work with a forester to outline your goals and help you get top dollar for your forest investment. Start the process now!

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Community Trees Think of this as your community. How will the death of all these trees effect your town?

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer How do you decide what to do? Evaluate the cost of different treatment or removal scenarios Consider the impact of each scenario on the your home, community or landscape What are your long term goals for your property? What are your community’s long term goals?

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer St. Paul, MN Ash Removal- Minn. Public Radio, Nov 2009 Impact of EAB

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer St. Paul, MN Ash Removal- Minn. Public Radio, Nov 2009 Impact of EAB

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer What can you do to NOW help Ash Trees Slow the Spread- Don’t Move Firewood Serve on an EAB Community Preparedness Planning committee to make decisions for your community. Help Conduct Community Tree Inventories Monitor for EAB Report Suspicious Sightings – Local CCE Office – DEC Hotline (866) – Collect Ash Tree Seed Educate Yourself and Your Friends and Neighbors

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer More Assistance CCE New York Invasive Species Information Web Site: Cornell Cooperative Extension: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: NYS Agriculture and Markets:

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Thoughtful solutions result in a better outcome. We may not be able to stop it right now, but we can Slow The Spread

Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer Credits Presentation prepared by – Rebecca Hargrave, Horticulture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, – Mark Whitmore, Forest Entomologist with Cornell University Department of Natural Resources Funded through USDA/APHIS and Cornell University April 4,2011