Survey for Emerald Ash Borer
Investigator: Ann Gibbs, State Horticulturist;
Maine Department of Agriculture
Time frame for activities: January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007
Project Proposal:
Objective: Investigate the trap tree technique developed in MI for EAB and outlined by the USFS to determine the feasibility of the technique and presence or absence of wood boring beetles on street trees in several communities in Maine. Educate the affected industries regarding wood boring beetles including EAB. This will help meet a primary objective of the CAPS program which is to safeguard our nation's food and environmental security from exotic pests that threaten our production and ecological systems
Justification: Emerald ash borer is a serious pest of quarantine significance that has killed millions of ash trees in MI, OH, IN and IL. Ash is a very important street tree and a component of the forests in Maine. Developing a technique to detect this pest early is important to protect our ash resources. This project will help build awareness concerning this pest with the arborist industry.
Description of Activity:
a. City arborists will be contacted to determine a list of condemned street trees in their community.
b. Set up the designated trap trees in June 2007.
c. Coordinate with the city arborist for tree take down and at that time strip the tree bark to inspect for borer activity in September 2007.
d. Suspect samples will be sent to the USDA APHIS PPQ for confirmation.
e. Data will be entered into the NAPIS database.
f. Education and outreach material will be distributed through the arborist industry at their annual trade show and other events.
Results: By surveying the street trees in these communities we will be able to determine that exotic wood borers are not present in Maine. Dept of Agriculture and community arborists will become familiar with the early detection technique using trap trees. Arborists may be inspired to use this technique when removing hardwoods in the future.
Links:
Maine Dept. of Agriculture What's New
www. emerald ash borer .info
U.S. Forest Service Pest Alert [pdf]
