Friday, June 17, 2005
Emerald ash borer update: Costs climbing quickly
- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 11:02:30 PM -
| In
the two years since the "EAB" was first found in Ohio, over 200,000
trees have been cut down in an effort to confine the infestation. As we
have reported previously, new outbreak areas have been found this year.
Ash removal has been paid for by funds from the US Department of
Agriculture. As the borer infestation spread, costs may be shifted to
land owners. At least 10% of all trees in Ohio are ash trees (of
several species). The Ohio state forestry division estimates that if
the infestation spreads throughout the state, direct costs for removal could top $1 billion.
This does not include the cost of the lost of ash trees in forests,
including the timber value and the loss of ecosystem services. Nor does
it include the cost of street tree removal by cities or the cost of
increased heat loading of city buildings with the loss of shade trees. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, residents will probably vote in November on a referendum to allocate $4 million for ash removal in the city. This does not include the cost of tree replacement. Timely removal is critical for controlling the spread of "EAB" but also to remove hazardous trees. Ash trees attacked by "EAB" die quickly and become hazardous, with falling dead limbs and entire trees prone to falling. Some smaller towns are trying to head off the borer by using state and federal funds to replace ash trees before the borer arrives. Bowling Green, Holland, Rossford, Sylvania and Rossville Ohio are removing ash trees and replacing them with species that are not susceptible to "EAB". "EAB" information can be found at http://www.emeraldashborer.info. |  Adult emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis. Photo by James Zablotny, US Department of Agriculture |
- Posted by Tom Kimmerer - 11:02:30 PM -
