Emerald Ash Borer
Dozens of municipalities have mounted extraordinary efforts to educate the public and policymakers about this widespread threat to urban forests. Treatment requires clearing all affected ash trees — an enormous and enormously expensive path.
Prevention can help.
Consider these leading education campaigns to earn trust and build partnerships with your leadership and the public.
Talking points
- EAB is not a threat to human or pet health, nor does it damage wooden homes or structures, but it does threaten our riparian forests and urban tree populations.
- EAB is 100 percent fatal to our ash trees of any size, age, healthy or unhealthy.
- The larva (the immature stage of EAB) spends its life inside ash trees, feeding on the inner bark where we cannot see it. It can take several years before an ash tree is discovered to be infested with EAB.
- The beetle will only fly a few miles. But it hitchhikes with people on firewood and other ash materials.
- When camping, leave firewood at home so you don’t spread pests. Use only local sources of firewood.
- EAB is not a “business as usual” tree pest. It kills quickly and thoroughly. No ash trees are exempt.
Asian Longhorned Beetle
ALB most likely emigrated from Asia to the United States hidden inside wood packaging material long before wood packaging material regulations were enacted. ALB was first found infesting trees in Brooklyn, NY, in August 1996.
It attacks and kills maple and other hardwood trees. The insect grows inside trees and feeds on the living tissues that carry nutrients. Trees cannot heal from the damage ALB causes.
Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees. When the spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sticky, sugary fluid that causes sooty mold, which can further damage plants.
Given its wide spread, this pest threatens urban trees as well as crops and other plants. Today more than 18 states are plagued by this invader. Accordingly, many jurisdictions ban its preferred host — the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima).
Spotted lanternflies are common hitchhikers at all life stages, but adults and egg masses are most commonly moved. Adults will fly into open windows of vehicles, into picking bins, and into the back of trucks while they are being loaded; eggs can be found on almost any outdoor surface.
So, close your windows, clean out your truck bed, don’t plant any trees of heaven, have a cold beer and above all stay on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly.
Borrow, don't build
For a rundown of local, state and national campaigns, check out this curated collection of 74 invasive species awareness programs from the USDA National Invasive Species Information Center.
Look to your neighbors.