DEC: Join the fight against the Emerald Ash Borer

The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has established the Capital District Emerald Ash Borer Task Force to help fight and slow the spread of the destructive insect. The ash borer continues to spread with recent infestations found in the city of Albany, the town of Colonie, the city of Watervliet, and the city of Troy, according to a release from the DEC.

Building upon the success of EAB task forces in other regions of the state, the DEC has partnered with Albany, Colonie, and other units of local government in the Capitol District to start the task force and invites additional municipalities in Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady counties to join the effort.

“EAB has been found in 22 counties in New York, putting all of New York State’s 900 million ash trees in the state at risk,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens in the release.  “It is currently estimated, however, that less than 5 percent of New York forests are infested with EAB, making now the time to take action. There are 10 Emerald Ash Borer Task Forces in the state, some just beginning and some well-established that facilitate cooperative management efforts among communities facing EAB.  Communities that participate in task forces have the opportunity to share ideas, resources and experiences, saving everyone involved time and money.”

The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, invasive beetle from Asia that was brought to the United States in wooden shipping pallets and crates most likely in the 1990s. Its larvae feed on the cambium tissue of ash trees, just below the bark. This feeding creates S-shaped galleries, or tunnels, through the living tissue of the tree, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients. Trees infested with ash borers typically die within two to four years, under a moderate to severe infestation.

 The Capital Region will be affected in a number of ways. Ash is a common street tree and yard species because of its beauty, upright growth, and resiliency. If action is not taken, entire streets and residential communities could become treeless, resulting in an increase in home-cooling costs and potential decrease in property value, the release says.

Dead ash trees also deteriorate quickly and fall unpredictably, creating significant liability issues as dead trees threaten to cause injury to pedestrians and property. In addition, ash is a species that often pops up in highly disturbed areas, such as along roadways and power lines. There will be additional maintenance needs as these trees die and fall, resulting in higher costs for utility customers and taxpayers.

 “The city of Albany has approximately 1,000 ash trees on city streets and hundreds of additional trees in city parks and other public spaces,” said City of Albany Forester Tom Pfeiffer in the release. “The loss of these trees will greatly impact business districts and residential neighborhoods. Our goal is to continue providing public safety and to protect the valuable trees that provide so many benefits to Albany’s urban forest. We are hopeful that the task force will be a huge asset as we face this challenge.”
The Capital District EAB Task Force meets regularly and all interested agencies, organizations, and associations in the region are invited to attend. The spread of the ash borer is inevitable but, with proper management, the rate of movement can be slowed and the costs of coping with it can be lowered.  The next Capital District EAB Task Force meeting will be held Jan. 7.  Those interested in attending, or with questions may contact the DEC’s Forest Health Operations supervisor, Rob Cole at 402-9420. For more information about the EAB Task Forces statewide, visit the New York Invasive Species Clearing House website at http://www.nyis.info/ .

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