Emerald Ash Borer Threatens State's Ash Trees

An insect that destroys ash trees has been found in New York only 25 miles from Litchfield County. WNPR’s Nancy Cohen reports it hasn’t been found in Connecticut yet, but environmental officials are concerned.

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle from Asia that destroys ash trees. The larvae feed on the inner bark—the parts of a tree that move nutrients to its roots and water to its leaves --- in effect starving a tree. The insects are metallic green and shaped like a bullet. They leave behind D-shaped holes, split bark and dead crowns.

The Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in the U.S. near Detroit in 2002. Since then it has been found in 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces and has killed tens of millions of trees. Chris Martin of the DEP says the insect is putting the state’s 22 million ash trees at risk.

“What we’ve seen in the Midwestern United States is essentially the elimination of ash trees. So this is bad news for Connecticut’s forests. It’s a chink out of our diversity cog.”

The Emerald Ash Borer can spread rapidly on its own. But it also can be moved unintentionally by people. It was most recently found in a campground in Saugerties, New York, suggesting the insect was transported there in firewood.

Connecticut environmental officials are asking campers to purchase firewood near a campground, burn all of it and never bring it home. And the state says if you’re burning wood at home, buy it locally. Both the state and the federal government are stepping up surveys for the beetle in northwestern Connecticut.

For WNPR, I’m Nancy Cohen.