PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) encourages residents to acknowledge Earth Day by checking for signs of invasive forest pests such as tree-killing insects like the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). These insects pose a serious threat to forest ecosystems across Rhode Island. ALB is an invasive insect that came to the United States in wooden shipping crates from China and Korea about 15 years ago. It affects hardwood shade trees such as maple, ash, birch, willow and elm by boring into the core of the tree and eventually killing it. This beetle has the potential of wiping out thousands of the state's trees if it goes undetected. EAB is the newest wood-boring pest to be found in the Northeast Region. It was first discovered in Berkshire County, MA in August of 2012. Although EAB only attacks ash trees, it can kill a mature ash in just a few years, and moves very quickly from one tree to the next.
DEM advises residents to check the trees in their neighborhoods. Residents looking for sings of ALB should look for perfectly round exit holes, a bit smaller than a dime; half inch oval divots in the bark left by female beetles digging sites to lay eggs in; and "frass" – a sawdust-like material found at the bases of trees or in the crooks of branches. ALB infests many common hardwood trees, particularly maple, elm, willow, birch, horse chestnut, ash and cottonwood. It will not infest any softwoods like pine, fir, or spruce, and does not attack other hardwoods such as oak or cherry. To check ash trees for EAB, look for a majority of dead branches in the upper third of the tree's canopy; D-shaped holes left in the bark when the beetle bores its way out; and "blonding" – stripping off of the bark on the trunk and main branches, exposing a layer of blonde wood. Blonding is actually damage done by woodpeckers seeking the EAB larvae, which bore just under the bark.
In addition to checking trees for signs of forest pest damage, here are more tips to prevent the spread of invasive pests:
• Tree-killing pests can lurk in firewood, brush and tree debris, and wood packaging material. Help slow the spread of pests by buying, using, and disposing of wood products locally. Do not move firewood. • Purchase firewood from local sources, or be sure the wood you transport is kiln-dried or heat-treated to kill invasive insects. Do not transport firewood long distance and adhere to all state and local regulations on the movement of firewood and other unprocessed wood.
DEM staff will also be participating in several Earth Day-themed events to promote awareness of the dangers of invasive forest pests, including:
• Roger Williams Park Zoo's Party for the Planet on April 22nd • Rhode Island's Arbor Day Celebration at Meeting Street School on April 25th
For further information, contact Liz Lopes-Duguay of DEM at 222-4700 x4510 or 640-4509 or via email at liz.lopesduguay@dem.ri.gov.