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| Symptoms that an ash tree might exhibit if infested with the emerald ash borer |
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Distinct, D-shaped exit holes in the bark |
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Serpentine-shaped tunnels under the bark on the surface of the wood |
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Young sprout growth clustered at the base of the tree |
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Unusual activity by woodpeckers and other insect eating birds |
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Die-back on the top third of the tree |
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Vertical splits in the bark |
If you said “yes” to the first warning sign and your tree is exhibiting two or more of the other symptoms, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 1-888-OHIO-EAB or by email at eab@mail.agri.state.oh.us. |
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Imagine what it would be like to camp without a leafy tree canopy overhead. That’s what some campers will experience this summer at Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County because of a destructive insect known as the
emerald ash borer.
As thousands of Ohioans and out-of-state visitors take to our campgrounds this season, they may be unknowingly threatening some of the very trees under which they’ve pitched their tents all because of the firewood they brought along for a cozy campfire.
The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic green beetle that attacks and destroys ash trees. This unwelcome insect arrived in North America from Asia about five years ago. Already it has claimed millions of ash trees in Michigan, and six northwestern Ohio counties.
In its larva stage before becoming an adult beetle the ash borer literally bores or drills its way through soft tissue that lies beneath the bark of the ash tree. Within three to five years, the tree dies as the destruction cuts off the tree’s nutrients and water, starving the tree to death.
With the borer’s larva over wintering beneath the tree’s bark, an unwitting camper could easily transport infested firewood to a campsite and potentially spread the beetle.
By following a few easy steps, state foresters say we can help prevent the beetle from spreading elsewhere in the state. “For starters, use only local sources of firewood,” said forester Dan Balser with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “Fortunately, most state parks sell firewood on site, so we’re asking campers not to bring in firewood of any kind. If you have already brought in firewood to a campsite, don’t take it home with you and don’t leave it behind burn it!”
Five species of ash trees grow in Ohio: blue, green, white, black and pumpkin. In addition to being common in our forests and woodlands, they frequently are found in home and commercial landscapes due to their otherwise hardy nature. The tall and graceful looking trees have leaves featuring five to nine pointed leaflets.
Some Ohioans have been calling the state’s Emerald Ash Borer hotline this spring fearing that their ash trees have the deadly disease. But, foresters say that many Ohio ash trees are also suffering from a non-threatening leaf disease known as anthracnose caused by a wet spring. While the resulting fungus causes noticeable amounts of ash leaflets to drop, Balser stresses this does not present a major threat to the health of the tree, which will recover just fine.
The landscape of Ohio’s forests is seriously threatened by the infestation of the emerald ash borer. Fortunately, there is something we can all do to help. Not transporting any firewood this summer and inspecting the ash trees on your property are two ways you can help with Ohio’s battle against this insect. Remember, it will only take one load of infected firewood to change the look of Ohio’s 19 million acres of forested land.