Maine Loggers
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
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