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Related: About this forumAP: Maine wants to expand quarantine zones to stop tree-killing pests
Maine wants to expand quarantine zones to stop tree-killing pestsBY PATRICK WHITTLE
Updated 12:49 PM EDT, August 31, 2023
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine forestry officials are planning a wide expansion of quarantine zones to try to prevent the spread of three invasive forest pests that pose threats to the states timber industry.
The pests are the emerald ash borer, the hemlock woolly adelgid and European larch canker. Forest managers in many states have tried to slow the spread of the borer and the adelgid, while larch canker has primarily been a concern in Maine and Canada.
The quarantine areas place restrictions on the movement of items such as firewood, logs, branches and plants in an attempt to stop the pests from spreading. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forests wants to expand the zones for all three pests.
The borer poses a threat to the states ornamental tree industry, the forestry department said in documents about the pest. The expanded quarantine zones are important to protect Maines forest, timber, and wildlife resources from this destructive pest, the department said in documents about the adelgid.
I wish them much good luck. New Yorks ash trees have been decimated.
Updated 12:49 PM EDT, August 31, 2023
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine forestry officials are planning a wide expansion of quarantine zones to try to prevent the spread of three invasive forest pests that pose threats to the states timber industry.
The pests are the emerald ash borer, the hemlock woolly adelgid and European larch canker. Forest managers in many states have tried to slow the spread of the borer and the adelgid, while larch canker has primarily been a concern in Maine and Canada.
The quarantine areas place restrictions on the movement of items such as firewood, logs, branches and plants in an attempt to stop the pests from spreading. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forests wants to expand the zones for all three pests.
The borer poses a threat to the states ornamental tree industry, the forestry department said in documents about the pest. The expanded quarantine zones are important to protect Maines forest, timber, and wildlife resources from this destructive pest, the department said in documents about the adelgid.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive beetle from Asia that infests and kills North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.) including green, white, black and blue ash. All of New York's native ash trees are susceptible to EAB.
Description
The emerald ash borer is a very small but very destructive beetle. It has four life stages: adult, egg, larva and pupa. The adult beetle has a shiny emerald green body with a coppery red or purple abdomen. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Adults are roughly 3/8 to 5/8 inch long with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. The adults may be seen from late May through early September but are most common in June and July.
Most trees die within 2 to 4 years of becoming infested.
How EAB Spread
Most long-distance movement of EAB has been directly traced to ash firewood or ash nursery stock. Other untreated ash wood, wood chips greater than one inch, and ash product movement (logs, lumber, pallets, etc.) generally present lesser risks. Wood chips less than one inch or mulch are considered to pose little risk of movement. New York State currently has a regulation restricting the movement of firewood to protect our forests from invasive pests.
Adult EABs typically fly less than ½ mile from their emergence tree. Since EAB is widespread throughout New York State, the beetles flying from one place to another is not of great concern.
Distribution and Habitat
EAB was first discovered in New York State in 2009 and has been confirmed in all New York counties except: Essex, Hamilton, and Lewis.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive beetle from Asia that infests and kills North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.) including green, white, black and blue ash. All of New York's native ash trees are susceptible to EAB.
Description
The emerald ash borer is a very small but very destructive beetle. It has four life stages: adult, egg, larva and pupa. The adult beetle has a shiny emerald green body with a coppery red or purple abdomen. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Adults are roughly 3/8 to 5/8 inch long with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. The adults may be seen from late May through early September but are most common in June and July.
Most trees die within 2 to 4 years of becoming infested.
How EAB Spread
Most long-distance movement of EAB has been directly traced to ash firewood or ash nursery stock. Other untreated ash wood, wood chips greater than one inch, and ash product movement (logs, lumber, pallets, etc.) generally present lesser risks. Wood chips less than one inch or mulch are considered to pose little risk of movement. New York State currently has a regulation restricting the movement of firewood to protect our forests from invasive pests.
Adult EABs typically fly less than ½ mile from their emergence tree. Since EAB is widespread throughout New York State, the beetles flying from one place to another is not of great concern.
Distribution and Habitat
EAB was first discovered in New York State in 2009 and has been confirmed in all New York counties except: Essex, Hamilton, and Lewis.
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AP: Maine wants to expand quarantine zones to stop tree-killing pests (Original Post)
OKIsItJustMe
Aug 2023
OP
bucolic_frolic
(43,258 posts)1. Hope the bugs follow the rules
because they sure didn't around here.
Easterncedar
(2,318 posts)2. Yes. The loss of the ashes is heartbreaking.
Just back from a drive from Maine to Niagara and back. Grim. I dont think a quarantine can do much.