Do you have ash trees in your parks or streetscapes? Read this

If you have ash trees in your city or town, actions taken by the USDA may affect their survival. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to remove their emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine efforts. EAB is an invasive exotic insect that can kill any ash tree regardless of tree size or species (i.e. native and non-native ash).

EAB has decimated the tree canopy in cities and towns throughout the Midwest and Northeastern U.S.

EAB has decimated the tree canopy in cities and towns throughout the Midwest and Northeastern U.S. where ash trees are more numerous. Emerald ash borer has not been detected in Washington, but has been discovered as far west as Colorado. It is likely that the transportation of infested ash firewood has played a part in the pest’s movement.

Photo: Leah Bauer, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, Bugwood.org

If detected in Washington, EAB would threaten our native ash tree, the Oregon Ash, which grows in riparian areas west of the Cascades. They have the potential to devastate forests and sensitive riparian areas. Loss of trees in wetlands and along shorelines could have cascading ecosystem effects on salmon and other fish.

Within one year of infestation, EAB would also kill any non-native species of ash planted statewide as an ornamental tree in parks, along streets, or in private yards. Aside from the aesthetic impacts, dead trees in public spaces also create a lot of risk for cities; and the costs of removal can be high, especially for mature trees.

Oregon Ash is our only tree with compound leaves, making it easy to identify. Source: nativeplantspnw.org.

APHIS is asking for public comments on its proposal to remove the quarantine efforts for the EAB. The comment period runs through November 19. Details in the trailing message.

Comments regarding the proposed rule for deregulation may be submitted by either of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal
2. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2017-0056, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

If you have questions about the proposed regulatory change for EAB, please feel free to contact the National Policy Manager Robyn Rose at 301-851-2283.