Forestry

The Green Menace, Emerald Ash Borer, has been found in far western NY. This borer, originally from Asia and found in Michigan in 2002, will kill all of our ash trees, all sizes and all species. While it has a ways to come before it gets to Chenango County, we all can be taking precautions.

Tips for everyone:
1) Do not move firewood!
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) larvae (young) live and feed under the bark of ash trees, and can be present even after the tree has died. Cutting ash for firewood and transporting it has helped EAB spread more quickly. Also, there are other worrisome insects and diseases that can be spread through firewood movement. In NY you cannot move untreated firewood more than 50 miles. Please buy and burn your wood locally. Information on the issue of moving firewood can be found at: http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/
For information on the 50 mile rule: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/28722.html).

2) Do not plant any more ash trees
It is inevitable that we will have to deal with the EAB here in Chenango. Choose a non-ash shade tree for yard, street, or forest planting. For suggestions contact CCE Chenango at 607-334-5841

3) Be on the look out for the EAB and its signature exit hole
Emerald Ash Borers are very distinct, small, longer than wide, and metallic green. When the adults emerge from trees they chew a “D” shaped exit hole. If you see an insect like this, or an exit hole, contact us, or bring the insect in for ID.

Tips for landowners:
If you have ash in your woodlots, don’t despair! There are some things you can do to make our forests healthier in the long run.

If you have timber quality ash trees:
1) Contact a professional forester about your best management options. The timber market is not at its best right now, and we don’t want to flood the market and lower the value of high quality trees. Ash is a popular wood, it’s great for floors, cabinets and furniture. Plan your harvests carefully to have the best return on your investment.

2) Don’t be tempted to liquidate all your ash. Selecting valuable trees could be worthwhile, but there are a couple concerns about removing all of our ash trees. Naturally resistant ash trees have yet to be found. EAB has devastated all ash trees it’s come across, but we’re holding out hope that some will be found that can resist its attack. In addition, research is being conducted on biological controls and pesticide options, so by the time it gets here, it may not be a bad as we once thought.

Also, standing dead trees (snags) provides wonderful wildlife habitat and food for cavity nesters and insect feeders. Leaving a few trees to become snags can benefit your overall woodlot diversity.

3) Begin to manage for other species of trees
Removing some large and medium sized ash trees around future crop trees will hasten the growth of the trees left standing. Select your future crop trees (for timber, wildlife food production, maple syrup production, etc.) and clear away ash or other undesirable trees that are interfering with that crop tree’s canopy. Remember, if you’re going to conduct removal activities yourself, to have the proper chainsaw training and wear the appropriate safety equipment.

For more woodlot owner information check out “Private Woodland Management in Anticipation of Emerald Ash Borer”, written by Peter Smallidge, PhD. NYS Extension Forester and Director, Arnot Teaching and Research Forest with Cornell University at http://www.ForestConnect.info - click on Publications.

If you are interested in a timber sale, have it professionally planned and implemented. For advice, information and a copy of the NYS DEC List of Cooperating Foresters contact Extension Educators Rebecca Hargrave at CCE Chenango at 607-334-5841 x 16 or Kevin Mathers at CCE Broome at (607) 584-5013 or Private Lands Foresters Paul Romanenko at the DEC in Sherburne at 607-674-4017 x 606 or Jerry Kachmore 607-775-2545 x110.

Some great references for pictures, descriptions, life cycles, and what you can do:
The New York Invasive Species web site: http://nyis.info/
The National Emerald Ash Borer web site: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
The NYS Department of Conservation web site: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html

If you have a suspicious insect or tree, bring a sample or photos in to CCE Chenango- 99 N Broad St., Norwich, 607-334-5841, or call the NYS EAB Hotline at 1-866-640-0652.