Friday, April 08, 2005
Lack of federal support slowing emerald ash borer control
Michigan, which is fighting a losing battle to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer, will have to limit ash tree removal because
of a lack of federal funds. The original plan was to remove all ash
trees within 1/2 mile of infested trees in seven Michigan counties. The
state expected $25 million in federal funds for the project but
received only $11 million.
Instead of removing healthy trees around infestations, state officials were only able to remove infested trees and girdle additional trees to create 'traps' for the emerging insects this spring. Creating trap trees could slow the spread of adult beetles, since the preferentially seek out weak trees. However, this is a stopgap measure an will only serve to build up beetle populations over time.
The state is trying to eliminate ash borer infestations at several 'gateway' locations - areas from which the borers could spread to the Upper Peninsula or to Ohio or Indiana to the south and the St. Clair River to the east.
Of course, this strategy assumes that emerald ash borers will spread by themselves. It is much more likely that people moving firewood or logs out of the quarantine area will bring infestations to new locations.
The federal government has increased funding for emerald ash borer control, but the funds are spread between three states (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio) with infestations. Federal funding would need to double to meet the quarantine needs of all three states.
- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 12:34:35 PM -
Instead of removing healthy trees around infestations, state officials were only able to remove infested trees and girdle additional trees to create 'traps' for the emerging insects this spring. Creating trap trees could slow the spread of adult beetles, since the preferentially seek out weak trees. However, this is a stopgap measure an will only serve to build up beetle populations over time.
The state is trying to eliminate ash borer infestations at several 'gateway' locations - areas from which the borers could spread to the Upper Peninsula or to Ohio or Indiana to the south and the St. Clair River to the east.
Of course, this strategy assumes that emerald ash borers will spread by themselves. It is much more likely that people moving firewood or logs out of the quarantine area will bring infestations to new locations.
The federal government has increased funding for emerald ash borer control, but the funds are spread between three states (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio) with infestations. Federal funding would need to double to meet the quarantine needs of all three states.
- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 12:34:35 PM -
