Tree Notes is about trees -- especially native trees, trees for wildlife, and trees in history.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Emerald ash borer discovered in Kentucky

Bad news for Kentucky's ash trees


The emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in two Kentucky counties. One of the infestations was found in a residential area of Jessamine County (in the Lexington, KY area), and the other infestation site was found in a wooded area of Shelby County (in the Louisville, KY area),

It was probably inevitable that this insect would be brought into Kentucky, but I am very sorry to hear that it has arrived.

A news report about the discovery of the emerald ash borers suggests two important ways that Kentuckians can help limit the spread of the tree-killing insect:

Kentuckians are asked to avoid transporting firewood, even within the state, and to not buy out-of-state firewood. Firewood could include infected ash wood.

People with ash trees are asked to inspect them. Signs that the insect is present include death of the upper tree canopy, sprouts growing from roots and the trunk, loose bark, signs of woodpecker activity and D-shaped holes in the truck. [sic]

Source: "Insect endangers Ky. ash trees" by Andy Mead, published in the May 26, 2009, Lexington Herald-Leader.

If you think you have an EAB infestation, call the EAB Hotline at 1-866-322-4512, or the state entomologist, (859) 257-5838. (These are the telephone numbers provided in the above-cited Lexington Herald-Leader article.)

More information about the EAB is available online at the Emerald Ash Borer information website or at the UK Entomology Emerald Ash Borer Page. Also check out the previous Tree Notes articles under the label "Emerald ash borer".

Credit: Kentucky maps from Wikipedia

Location of Jessamine County within the state of Kentucky
Location of Shelby County within the state of Kentucky

2 comments -- please add yours:

Folkways Note Book said...

Sad news about the emerald borer being found in KY. It was to be though. Predictions of it spreading across the U.S. were made by the State of Michigan entomologists several years ago. Michigan was unfortunately the first in the nation to get this infestation and it has spread swiftly in Michigan and is predicted to entirely wipe out all ashes in Michigan as well and all of the U.S. Ashes are fated to meet the same total demise as the majestic Chestnut tree.--Barbara

Genevieve Netz said...

Hi, Barbara. You can treat the ground around an ash tree with certain chemicals which will be taken up into the tree through the roots. This is supposed to offer some protection against the borers. People may do that for the ash trees on their lawns, but the wild ash trees are probably doomed.

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Enrich your life with the study of trees.

"The power to recognize trees at a glance without examining their leaves or flowers or fruit as they are seen, for example, from the car-window during a railroad journey, can only be acquired by studying them as they grow under all possible conditions over wide areas of territory. Such an attainment may not have much practical value, but once acquired it gives to the possessor a good deal of pleasure which is denied to less fortunate travelers."

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Print references I frequently consult

Benvie, Sam. Encyclopedia of North American Trees. Buffalo, NY: Firefly, 2000.

Brockman, C. Frank. Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Ed. Herbert S. Zim. New York: Golden, 1986.

Cliburn, Jerry, and Ginny Clomps. A Key to Missouri Trees in Winter: An Identification Guide. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri, 1980.

Collingwood, G. H., Warren David Brush, and Devereux Butcher. Knowing Your Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1978.

Dirr, Michael. Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: an Illustrated Encyclopedia. Portland, Or.: Timber, 1997.

Elias, Thomas S. The Complete Trees of North America; Field Guide and Natural History. New York: Book Division, Times Mirror Magazines, 1980.

Grimm, William Carey. The Book of Trees;. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole, 1962.

Hightshoe, Gary L. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America: a Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.

Little, Elbert L. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. New York: Chanticleer, 1996.

Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. American Wildlife and Plants. New York: McGraw Hill, 1951.

Mitchell, Alan F., and David More. The Trees of North America. New York, NY: Facts On File Publications, 1987.

Randall, Charles E. Enjoying Our Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1969.

Settergren, Carl D., and R. E. McDermott. Trees of Missouri. Columbia: University Extension, 1995.

Sternberg, Guy, and James W. Wilson. Native Trees for North American Landscapes: from the Atlantic to the Rockies. Portland: Timber, 2004.

Wharton, Mary E., and Roger W. Barbour. Trees and Shrubs of Kentucky. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 1973.

Wyman, Donald. Trees for American Gardens. New York: Macmillan, 1965.

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