New York Preservationist By Dakota Raponi

The major threats to New York Forests.Oak Wilt.Emarald Ash Borer.Asian Longhorned Beetle.Hemlock Wolly Adelgid

Oak Wilt Grows in the water-conducting vessels of host trees and as it does, it causes the vessels to produce gummy plugs that prevent water transport, eventually causing tree death.

Emerald Ash Borer Description:they are metallic green beetle with wings and body tapered towards the rear.Damage:Larval feeding under the bark girdles and kills ash trees. Since its discovery in the United States in 2002 emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees.

Asian Longhorned Beetle descriptions:Glossy black (think patent leather), very smooth beetle with white spots on the wings. Antennae are at least the length of the body and banded with black and white.Damage:Tunneling by larvae girdles tree stems and branches. This leads to dieback of the tree crown and eventual death of the tree.

Hemlock Wolly Adelgid Description:A small aphid-like insect covered with white, waxy wool-like material. This wool-like covering makes the insect resemble miniature cotton balls. It is most visible from late-October through July. Wool masses are located on the undersides of the twigs at the bases of the needles (not on the needle, but on the twig).Damage:Feeding by the adelgid leads to needle loss, crown thinning and dieback and eventual mortality of trees.