Millions of Ash trees have died at the jaws of the Emerald Ash Borer, an
invasive insect from Asia, and the state of Massachusetts is stepping up its
efforts to get the pest under control.
by John
Tyburski
Copyright © Daily
Digest News, KPR Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
Dire times
call for dire measures, and the state of Massachusetts is getting tough with an
extremely destructive little invader that targets ash trees. The Emerald Ash
Borer is an insect unintentionally brought in from Asia in 2002 that has killed
millions Ash trees since it arrived and infiltrated 23 states.
“It’s a
quick tree killer; it can kill a tree in two to three years,” says Kenneth
Gooch, Director of Forest Health for the Department of Conservation and
Recreation.
Massachusetts
has been dealing with this relentless pest since 2012 and has suffered
devastating tree losses, especially in the western part of the state.
“The
farther west of the state you go, the more ash trees there are. They are a big
part of the forest in Berkshire County and Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin
counties,” explained Gooch.
When the
bugs started showing up near Boston, officials decided to take their control
measures up a notch. Now ash lumber is quarantined statewide in an effort to
contain the insects.
“The more
people move the infested species, the more harm that can be done. One thing we
tell people is keep your fire wood purchases local,” said Gooch.
Under the
quarantine, certain products, including all hardwood firewood, are restricted
to within their respective areas. The restrictions apply to any piece of wood
smaller than 48 inches, all ash nursery stock, and all ash lumber that has not
undergone the removal of the bark and the outer half inch of wood, dry kiln
sterilizations and heat treatments, and fumigation with pesticide.
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