MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont forestry officials are reminding the public about the threat to the state’s ash trees posed by the invasive insect the emerald ash borer. Next week is ash borer awareness week.
It’s part of a nationwide effort to raise public understanding of the invasive forest pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S.
This wood-boring beetle, first found in Vermont in 2018, is now confirmed in eight Vermont counties. Experience in Midwestern states has shown that once this pest is detected in an area, unless treated with insecticides, the majority of ash trees will become infested and die within a decade.
Among the activities planned for the week of Sept. 12:
At least nine Vermont communities will be hosting COVID-safe events in which local ash trees will be tagged.
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry program is working with the Vermont Land Trust to highlight stories about Vermont-made ash products.
The Green Mountain Club, Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, as well as many towns, have posted signs at trailheads on how to identify ash trees and detect and report suspected infested trees.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.