Dead Ash trees throughout New Jersey

Dead Ash trees throughout New Jersey

And so it begins. Now that spring has arrived we can enjoy sunny days, beautiful flowers and relax in the shade of our favorite tree. Let’s just hope that favorite tree is not an Ash. For two years it has been confirmed that Emerald Ash Borers are in New Jersey and are damaging Ash trees throughout the state. The insect was first confirm to be in Bridgewater in Somerset County but quickly spread to Burlington, Bergen, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties. Now dead Ash trees can now be found in town throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey has 24.7 million ash trees, making approximately 9 percent of New Jersey forests susceptible to emerald ash borer attacks. Although rarely the most abundant tree in a forest stand, ash is still found in 24 percent of all forest land. The greatest numbers of ash trees can be found in the northern part of the state. Ash is also commonly planted along streets, as landscape trees in yards, and in parks throughout the state. It is in these locations that dead Ash trees have the greatest impact. Just imagine the 40 foot trees lining your street gone forever.

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis or EAB) is responsible for the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees in 25 states in the Midwest and Northeast. Native to Asia, it likely arrived in the United States hidden in wood packing materials. The first U.S. identification of Emerald Ash Borer was in southeastern Michigan in 2002. This invasive insect acts fast and dead Ash trees are commonly found 2-4 years from initial infestation. There are a variety of treatment options that can serve as a control measure for EAB, but they are not a cure. Because pesticide regulations differ from State to State, homeowners should contact a licensed pesticide application company to protect their Ash trees.

The adult EAB is approximately ½” long and 1/8” wide, metallic-green in color, with a metallic-copper red abdomen. The larvae are white or cream colored, measure approximately 1 - 1 1/4" long and have 10 abdominal segments that are bell shaped. EAB adults emerge in May or early June creating D-shaped exit holes, 3-4 mm in size on the branches and trunks of infested trees and stay active through August. The EAB feed on the margins of the ash leaf and have a 1year lifecycle.  After feeding, the female EAB deposits eggs in bark crevices or under bark flaps on the trunk or bark. After the egg matures, larvae burrow under the bark and feed on the cambium - the water and nutrient transporting layer of the tree. It is this feeding that causes the most concern for the health of the tree. By damaging the cambium, the flow of water is impeded resulting in a dead Ash tree.

Signs and Symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer damage are as follows. EAB first infest the top of the tree’s crown, which makes spotting adult beetles or exit holes nearly impossible from the ground. Woodpecker activity and damage on live trees is often an initial sign of an EAB infestation. As EAB populations increase we begin to see thinning of the canopy, epicormic branching (sucker growth), bark splits, and exit holes lower on the areas of the tree become more prevalent. If you are finding d-shaped exit holes low to the ground a dead Ash tree is not far behind.

Rutgers University has just released a Plant & Pest Advisory confirming dead Ash trees are now being found in New Jersey due to damage from the Emerald Ash Borer. Please follow the link below.

http://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/ladies-and-gentlemen-start-your-engines/

Contact Tree Dr. now at http://www.treedrnj.com/

to Save Your Ash.

Spring Flowers

The first day of Spring is, March 20th, is just around the corner. The spring equinox or the first day of spring, days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses. So there will soon be time to enjoy those beautiful spring flowers.

In spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to "spring forth," giving the season its name.

Late Winter/Early Spring Flowers

Winter Aconite: Also known as Eranthis, these pale yellow blooms might be considered insignificant later in the year, but they are a joyous sight when they push through the snow.

Witch Hazel: These shrubs add a wonderful touch of yellow in the early spring garden. Some cultivars bloom red.

Crocus: The earliest varieties, such as Crocus chrysanthus, Crocus sieberi and Crocus tommasinianus, bloom through the snow. These are the small crocus that usually flower in shades of purple or yellow.

Hellebore: These are often known by common names such as Christmas Rose and Lenten Rose in areas with mild winters.

Camellia: This beautiful shrub has lovely blossoms in mild winter climates or early spring in slightly harsher areas.

Snowdrop: This is another early bulb that sometimes blooms even through the snow.

Chionodoxa: This is commonly called Glory of the Snow. These pale blue flowers bloom as the snow melts.

Pansy: Cool growers, pansies bloom early and hardy to frost and snow. The will continue to bloom until the weather turns hot.

Spring Flower with an Early Spring Blooms

Daffodil: The earliest narcissi appear in early spring, especially small cultivars like Tete-a-Tete.

Iris Reticulata: The large iris are a summer pleasure, but this small beauty is an early spring treasure.

Forsythia: This bright yellow shrub literally screams "Springtime!"

Scilla: These small bulbs produce wonderful blue and purple blossoms.

Anemone: The blanda species produces pale blue and white starry blossoms for the spring garden.

Pussy Willow: Salix discolor and Salix caprea were standards in many grandmothers' gardens, but new varieties have larger and more strongly-colored catkins to delight today's gardeners.

 

Mid - Spring Flowers and Flowering Trees

Daffodil: These are the glory of the mid-spring blossoms. Large, late varieties like King Alfred and Mount Hood are brilliant even on rainy days.

Tulip: On everyone's list of spring flowers, these are starting their long period of bloom in mid-spring.

Rhododendron and azaleas: Both are just starting their springtime display.

Muscari: Often planted with daffodils and tulips, muscari hug the ground beneath those taller flowers.

Redbud trees: Their branches are outlined with wonderful pink blooms before their leaves appear.

Dogwood trees: These are breathtaking in the spring garden.

Star Magnolia Tree: The star magnolia, Magnolia stellata, is the first to bloom.

Trillium: This is just one of the many wildflowers that bloom before the large trees are fully leafed out.

Ornamental forms of Cherry and Crabapple trees are beautiful in mid-spring.

Hyacinths: These spring flowers bring scent as well as color to the spring garden.

Primrose: Jewels in the spring garden, Primula veris (Cowslip) and Primula vulgare (Common primrose) are the best known, but you will find many varieties are available in garden centers.

 

Late Spring Flowers and Flowering Trees

Lily of the Valley: This highly fragrant flower typically blooms in late spring, but it can bloom earlier in years with mild winters.

Saucer Magnolia Tree: Magnolia x soulangiana, the saucer magnolia, is a beautiful late spring bloomer.

Lilac: This shrub fills the late spring garden with scent and color.

Spiraea: These shrubs are an old-fashioned favorite.

Peonies: These shrubs carry the garden from late spring into summer.

Allium: Somewhat prosaically called the "flowering onion," this bloom is spectacular.

Wood Anemone: Anemones are always lovely in the wilderness garden.

Jack in the Pulpit: This wildflower is a favorite in spring.

As we transition through Spring the areas deciduous trees and shrubs will produce leaves and start filling in your landscape. This is also the time to begin to monitor your landscape and treat for damaging insects. As we look forward into 2016 a major insect problem has been forecasted. The invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been found throughout New Jersey and is already killing thousands of Ash Trees. Preventative treatments are available and should be done regularly to protect your tress. Contact Tree Dr LLC for an estimate to SAVE YOUR ASH. www.TreeDrNJ.com

 

Emerald Ash Borer Spreads Throughout New Jersey

Emerald Ash Borers are no longer a just a threat, they are here. It has been confirmed that the emerald ash borer (EAB) has hit New Jersey with ferocity. Bergen, Mercer, Union, Hunterdon and Somerset counties have all reported populations of this insect with Bridgewater being an area of high saturation. If you have ash trees on your property you need to read this column and act in a proactive manner to protect your trees.

Adults prefer to lay eggs on open grown or stressed ash, but readily lay eggs on healthy trees. Damage occurs in infested trees due to larval feeding. The serpentine feeding galleries of the larvae disrupt the flow of nutrients and water effectively girdling the tree. The tree will eventually no longer be able to transport sufficient water and nutrients to the leaves to survive.

White and green ash, the primary species of ash in our area, are killed quite rapidly if not protected. Many of the specialized predators and parasitoids that suppressed EAB populations in Asia are not present in North America. Without factors that would normally suppress EAB populations in its native range (e.g., resistant trees, predators, and parasitoid wasps), EAB populations are quickly rising to damaging levels. After initial infestation, all ash trees are expected to die in an area within 10 years without control measures. EAB populations can spread 12 miles a year. However, it primarily spreads longer distances by transport of firewood and other wood products that contain ash bark, which allows EAB to reach new areas and create satellite populations outside of the main infestation. EAB threatens the entire North American Fraxinus genus. It has killed tens of millions of ash trees so far and threatens to kill most of the eight billion ash trees remaining throughout North America. The loss of ash from an ecosystem can result in increased numbers of invasive plants, changes in soil nutrients, and economic disaster.

Identification and Life Cycle

Adult Emerald Ash Borers are bright metallic green and when they reach 0.33 inch long and 0.063 inch wide the adults begin to emerge from trees. After emergence, adults feed for approximately one week on ash leaves in the canopy before mating. Males hover around trees, locate females by visual cues, and mate. A typical female can live around six weeks and lay approximately 40–70 eggs, but females that live longer can lay up to 200 eggs. Eggs are deposited between bark crevices, flakes, or cracks and hatch about two weeks later. After hatching, larvae chew through the bark to the inner phloem, cambium, and outer xylem where they feed and develop. By feeding, larvae create long serpentine galleries. Fully mature larvae are 1.0 to 1.3 in long. In fall these larvae excavate chambers about 0.49 inch into the sapwood or outer bark. These larvae develop into pupae and adults the following spring. To exit the tree, adults chew holes from their chamber through the bark, which leaves a characteristic D-shaped exit hole.

Treatment

Insecticides with active ingredients such as imidacloprid, emamectin benzoate, and dinotefuran are currently used since they are systemic and remain effective for one to two years depending on the product and application method. Ash trees are primarily treated by direct injection into the tree or soil drench. These insecticides cannot be applied by homeowners and must be applied by licensed applicators. It is highly recommended you speak to companies who specialize in Emerald Ash Borer control.

Please contact Tree Dr. with any questions or to schedule a consultation at www.TreeDrNJ.com

EAB in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Ash Trees are under attack. The NJ Department of Agriculture has reported the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, is active in 14 towns in six counties.

A state run trapping program and reporting from homeowners has resulted in the discovery to date of the beetle in Hillsdale, Bergen County; Edgewater Park and West Hampton, Burlington County;  Ewing, Hamilton Township, Hopewell, Princeton, West Windsor, Mercer County; Monroe and South Brunswick, Middlesex County; Bridgewater, Franklin Township and Hillsborough, Somerset County; and Allentown, Monmouth County.

“Just as Emerald Ash Borer has swiftly spread through other states in the nation, it has now moved to New Jersey and we must prepare for the impact of this highly destructive invasive pest, which could lead to the death of ash trees,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.  “We ask that towns and counties act now to put plans in place to respond to the beetle.”

In an effort to protect the state’s ash trees, the Department of Agriculture initiated the field release this fall of biocontrol parasitoids for Emerald Ash Borer in four locations in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Franklin and Ewing Townships.  Releases of almost 9,000 larval and 1,600 egg EAB parasitoids were made in wooded ash sites containing low levels of EAB in September in an effort to help suppress building EAB populations.  The beneficial insects were supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s EAB Biocontrol Laboratory in Brighton, Michigan.

Municipal officials and residents of those towns and counties are encouraged to visit the New Jersey Emerald Ash Borer website www.emeraldashborer.nj.gov where they can find resources on how to protect their ash trees or what to do with dead or dying trees.

Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in New Jersey in May 2014 by a private citizen in Bridgewater.  EAB is now present in 25 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.  It was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and has since killed tens of millions of trees.

The adult Emerald Ash Borer is a metallic green insect about one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide making it hard to detect in the wild.  The female beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. The eggs hatch and the larvae bore into the bark to the fluid-conducting vessels underneath.  The larvae feed and develop, cutting off the flow of nutrients and, eventually killing the tree.  EAB attacks and kills North American species of true ash, and tree death occurs three to five years following initial infestation.  EAB is native to Asia.

The New Jersey Emerald Ash Borer website, developed by the New Jersey Emerald Ash Borer Task Force, made up of representatives of the NJDA, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Rutgers University, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, has many resources for municipal officials, woodland owners and residents.  The site explains the signs of the beetle, how to identify ash trees, how to report a possible infestation, and what to do with dead or removed trees.  For towns, there is an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan template and a tree removal cost calculator.  For homeowners, there is a risk map and treatment options.  For woodland owners, there is a list of companies that will accept ash.    

New Jersey is part of a federal quarantine to prevent the spread of the beetle, which prohibits movement of ash trees outside of the quarantine zone.  The Department also recommends not moving firewood.  Firewood is a vehicle for movement of tree-killing forest pests including EAB.  Use locally-sourced firewood when burning it at home and when travelling, burn firewood where you buy it.  Make sure to burn all wood purchased.

Tree Dr. specializes in the treatment of Emerald Ash Borer and will design the best EAB Control plan for your property.