Emerald Ash Borer

RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT

The problem of the Emerald Ash Borer has received much attention in the media. Most recently the Borer has been identified in Hazel Crest. The tiny borer was brought to the US from China and in recent years has caused the loss of 20 Million Ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The borer was first discovered in Illinois two years ago. For 3 years, Park Forest has participated in a trap tree program (to identify the borer) conducted by the Morton Arboretum. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients.

What you should know about EAB:
•It attacks only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.)
•Adult Beetles are metallic green and about 1/2-inch long.
•Adults leave a D-shaped exit hole in the bark when they emerge in spring.
•Woodpeckers like EAB larvae; heavy woodpecker damage on ash trees may be a sign of infestation.

For Park Forest it’s not a question of “if but when” the borer will be identified in the Village. Most residents say the mature tree canopy is one of the highlights of living in Park Forest. It is estimated that 20% of the urban forest in the Village is made up of ash trees. This means nearly 6,000 trees in Park Forest could be in jeopardy. Residents should be aware that moving firewood has probably done the most to spread this insect can help by adhering to the ban on moving firewood. If you have firewood delivered, ask about its origin, and buy firewood only at your destination.

The Village strategy to address the problem will be to “manage” the EAB infestations in an attempt to slow its spread.

What this means:
•The trap tree program will continue in the Village
•Public education about the EAB problem will be stepped up.
•Public (park and parkway) Ash trees that show signs of stress will be removed as part of the regular urban forestry
  maintenance program.
•Residents who have Ash trees that are infested will be required to have these trees removed
  (similar to the Village’s Dutch Elm Disease program) in an attempt to prevent the spread to other ash trees.

If you have questions about the Emerald Ash Borer problem, please call the Recreation & Parks Office at 748-2005.

Additional Resources:

Morton Arboretun at www.mortonarb.org

Univesity of Illinois Extention at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/index.html