Maine Loggers - June 5, 2018

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Maine Loggers

Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in Maine

Information for Maine Landowners, foresters, and loggers 

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was recently discovered in Madawaska. The discovery was made by a joint team comprised of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the USDA Forest Service on May 22, 2018. Although the discovery was disappointing, it was expected. Maine landowners, foresters, and loggers are advised to get the facts, not to panic, and make informed decisions regarding their woods.

Emerald ash borer was first discovered in the Detroit, Michigan area in 2002, though it is believed to have arrived in the 1990s. The beetle is about one-half inch long and metallic green. Its larvae tunnel through the wood just under the bark of ash trees and can kill healthy trees in three-to-five years. Hundreds of millions of ash trees across the country have been killed.

Ash trees comprise four percent of Maine’s hardwood forest and are also an important street tree. Emerald ash borer threatens all species of ash trees (except mountain-ash) and could have significant ecological and economic impacts. There are no practical means to control EAB in forested areas, although pesticide treatments can protect individual trees.

Actions landowners, foresters, and loggers can take now:

Determine how close you are to the current EAB infestation in Madawaska or other known infestations in nearby New Hampshire and Quebec.  You can find the most up-to-date information and maps on Maine’s and nearby infestations at www.maine.gov/eab The distance your woods are located from a known infestation will influence actions you take now.

1) Within 10 miles of a known infestation

Plan for EAB now if you have ash trees in your woods. You need to take action if you expect to salvage ash in your woodlot. The Maine Forest Service recommends that woodland owners work with a licensed consulting forester when making decisions or undertaking management activities in their woods. Your Maine Forest Service District Forester can help you locate licensed consulting foresters in your area. Additionally, District Foresters can answer questions on actions to take in managing your woodlot, provide publications, and tell you about upcoming EAB workshops or events.

State and federal officials are determining the extent of the infestation. Additional information will be released as more is learned from teams in the field and as data is processed. Stay tuned, and visit www.maine.gov/eab for the latest news.

Sign up for the Maine Forest Service’s “Forest & Shade Tree Insect & Disease Conditions” report: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/condition_reports.html

2) Beyond 10 miles of a known infestation

It could be many years before EAB shows up in your woods. Consider the ecological, aesthetic, and economic value of your ash, your tolerance of risk, and your objectives for ownership. Stay abreast of new information to avoid short-sighted decisions. Visit  www.maine.gov/eab for the latest news on EAB.

The Maine Forest Service recommends that woodland owners work with a licensed consulting forester when making decisions or undertaking management activities in their woods. Your Maine Forest Service District Forester can answer questions on a range of forestry topics, provide publications, or tell you about upcoming EAB workshops or events. Additionally, District Foresters can help you locate licensed consulting foresters in your area.

Plan for EAB now if you have ash trees in your woods. Know what’s at risk: how much ash you have, its size and quality, and where it’s located. Your potential losses may be minimal and require little to no additional management.

Growing ash sawlogs is a riskier long-term investment than it used to be. During scheduled harvests, take steps to limit your exposure to EAB loss, including reducing the percentage of large ash trees.

If you’re growing trees for timber income, don’t cut immature ash too early. If the trees are too small to yield high value sawlogs, you may get a better return if you allow them to grow. They will increase in volume, and may improve in grade, which will lead to a better financial return. If the trees are attacked by EAB harvest quickly for highest quality veneer and sawtimber. Once EAB feeding causes 50% crown dieback the high value sapwood can be discolored.

If you decide to cut, consider leaving scattered and small diameter ash trees in the woods. Ash left behind may help slow dispersal of EAB, help manages spread, and provide genetic diversity in case of tolerance of or resistance to EAB. The last trees standing will be the last to produce seed.

Reassess your plan if EAB is detected in or near your town. Keep abreast of news about the insect. The threat of imminent tree mortality increases when EAB is detected within 10 miles of your property.

Sign up for the Maine Forest Service’s “Forest & Shade Tree Insect & Disease Conditions” report: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/condition_reports.html

What else can I do?

Spread the “Don’t Move Firewood” message in your town. Slowing the spread of EAB is crucial. An emerald ash borer generally moves only about a half-mile on its own in a year, but can move hundreds of miles in a single day within a piece of infested firewood.

Do not panic but plan ahead for EAB. By addressing issues before EAB arrives, the loss associated with an infestation can be spread over a longer period. Neighboring communities can coordinate to share resources and reduce costs. Please visit www.maine.gov/eab for more information.

Is there any hope?

Yes. Many healthy ash trees are still growing in every infested state. Even where mortality has been severe, the occasional “lingering” ash has survived. White ash is thought to be genetically diverse, providing hope that some genetic resistance may occur in that species as well.

For additional information:

Maine Emerald Ash Borer Information
www.maine.gov/eab

Maine Forest Service
http://www.maineforestservice.gov

Emerald Ash Borer Information Network
http://emeraldashborer.info/

US Forest Service, Northeastern Area
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab/

State of Maine – Invasive Species
http://www.maine.gov/portal/about_me/invasives.html

Facebook – Maine Bug Watch
https://www.facebook.com/Maine-Bug-Watch-286814954695063/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE

Twitter – Maine Bug Watch
https://twitter.com/mainebugwatch?lang=en