Town’s Ash Trees in Peril

The state Department of Environmental Protection recently stepped up its effort to detect the presence of Emerald Ash Borer, or “EAB,” throughout every Connecticut county.

They will be deploying monitoring traps, nicknamed "Barney traps" due to their large size—3-by-1-inches and purple color. They only attract EAB already in an area and cause no other problems to people, birds or other wildlife.

I have been contacted by Joel Stocker, assistant extension educator of UConn, who is in charge of trap distribution. He implied that I would be contacted by someone hoping to place some traps in New Canaan.

I welcome this opportunity to help monitor this highly destructive insect.

The EAB only attacks ash trees, and like all other bark beetles, is drawn to trees under stress. Research has shown that trees under stress emit an odor that attracts certain insects. As many of us are aware, ash trees in New Canaan have been dying off for the past 25 years, in increasing numbers. This problem is caused by a disease called "Ash Yellow" and is a mitochondria disease that clogs the phloem cells. This is the transport system that sends nourishment to the roots. The roots die with the upper branches then dying back from the tips. Much sprouting along the major limbs and trunks takes place making these trees stand out. These are the trees most at risk from EAB.

The unfortunate effect of the disease, while it is killing off the white ash trees in our area, is that it will probably be a major cause of influx of the EAB. If the EAB arrives, it will thrive due to the potentially large food source. Like other opportunistic insects, if the numbers are large, they will begin invading otherwise healthy ash trees. I hate to say that white ash trees are doomed, but it does not look good.

Recognizing the insect and reporting its presence is a vital first step in control. The adult is a small (one-half inch long) beetle with iridescent green wing covers that appear metallic. The larvae feed just beneath the bark and the adult feeds on leaves. The larvae are responsible for tree death by destroying the same transport system as the Ash Yellow disease.

Along with spotting and reporting the presence of the insect, be careful with firewood. Buy your firewood locally and do not transport it any distance for any reason; you could inadvertently spread the insect into other areas.