North America’s most widespread and valuable ash tree species are on the brink of extinction due to the invasive beetle Emerald Ash Borer decimating their populations. Five of the six most prominent ash tree species in North America were added to the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered – only one step from going extinct – with the sixth species assessed as Endangered. One of the species, the once-plentiful White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is a canopy species found in floodplain forests of the Ashokan watershed. Another species on the list – Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is also found in the watershed’s Hemlock-Northern Hardwood forests according to a 2012 survey by the NY Natural Heritage Program.
The AWSMP can help streamside landowners with selecting native species to replace dead or dying ash trees in streamside areas. Call the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative at (845) 688-3047 x6 for advise and assistance.
For more information on the biology of the Emerald Ash Borer and local efforts to protect important ash stands, see this video presentation at the Ashokan Watershed Conference or these helpful online resources:
Check the New York State Invasive Species EAB page at: http://www.nyis.info/?action=eab
Some of the most helpful guides include:
- Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer:
www.emeraldashborer.info/ les/Multistate_EAB_ Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf - An Emerald Ash Borer Field Guide:
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/eab/pubs/fieldguide/eabfg.pdf - Information on Emerald Ash Borer in New York State:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html
