Insect & Disease Conditions Update
With the discovery last year of emerald ash borer (EAB) in both north-eastern Maine and south-western Maine, we have an increased urgency to delimit the boundaries of the infestation. Knowing where EAB is will help us manage it. Also, only when we find EAB in stands with significant ash component will we be able to begin biological control. We are particularly in need of trap trees in York County and the quarantined towns of northern Aroostook County. Now is the time to girdle your tree.
Will girdling a trap tree draw EAB in to your property? NO.
A girdled tree will only draw EAB in from about 100 yards. If EAB is close enough to be attracted to your girdled tree, it is almost certainly already on your property at levels too low to be detected. In fact, a girdled tree is likely to protect other ash on your property, since it will act as a sink, drawing EAB away from your other trees. Girdled trees are used as a management strategy in the early years of an infestation, to prolong the life of surrounding ash trees.
Below are instructions on how to girdle a tree. We will send out further instructions on how to fell and cut up the tree in the autumn. This year, we hope to fell and peel the trees in late October-November, before the snow flies.
If you are able to girdle and fell your tree yourself, please follow these instructions and send the coordinates of your girdled tree (in Decimal Degrees if possible) to colleen.teerling@maine.gov. If you cannot send coordinates, please use the nearest street address.
If you would like us to girdle and/or fell your tree, please email me and tell us your location before girdling your tree so we can confirm we have enough staff in your area to do this.
Instructions for Girdling an EAB trap tree:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/eab_trap_trees.htm
If you have any questions please contact: colleen.teerling@maine.gov
| 
