The beetles are coming! And this invasion is bad news for Morristown trees

The emerald ash borer. Photo: www.longmontcolorado.gov
The emerald ash borer. Photo: www.longmontcolorado.gov
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The emerald ash borer. Photo: www.longmontcolorado.gov
The emerald ash borer. Photo: www.longmontcolorado.gov

Call it the Chinese Invasion.

When these beetles come to town, you can kiss your ash goodbye.

Your Emerald Ash tree. An invasive species of Asian beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, is munching its way across the U.S. and is closing in on Morristown, according to the Morristown Shade Tree Commission.

Here are tips to minimize the carnage.

FROM THE MORRISTOWN SHADE TREE COMMISSION:

Morristown takes preventative measures to reduce impact of Emerald Ash Borer

The Morristown Shade Tree Commission has issued an early notice that the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive species of beetle from Asia, is making its way across the United States.

Native to China this small insect will likely destroy all Ash trees in the Greater Northeast area that comes in contact with. The EAB was first discovered in New Jersey in 2014 and is now in several nearby counties outside of Morristown.

The Shade Tree Commission recommends that all Ash trees that are sick, dying, and/or in decline be removed before the EAB arrives in Morristown.

In the upcoming months, Morristown tree crews will also be taking down smaller Ash trees (under 12 inches in diameter), located on public property, to help prevent EAB spread.

These trees are marked with yellow caution tape. This is a preemptive public safety measure, as infected trees becomes brittle and hazardous. All trees that are removed will be replaced with a different species of tree.

The Shade Tree Commission recommends residents follow these steps to reduce EAB impact:

1. Identify your Ash trees. Ash trees have a compound leaf with 5-11 leaflets and mature trees will have unique, diamond shaped ridge bark;

2. Monitor your Ash trees for EAB. Look for dying branches, woodpecker damage, galleries under the bark, small “D” shaped exit holes, the adult green beetle, and sprouting;

3. Spread the message: “Don’t Move Firewood” to avoid unintentionally spreading the EAB;

4. Report EAB sightings. Sightings can be reported to the Morristown Shade Tree Commission or Department of Public Works

For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer, or Morristown’s preventative measures, please contact the commission by emailing here or here.

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