Invasive Ash Borer Threatens New York State's 900 Million Ash Trees
Posted on July 31, 2013
The invasive Emerald Ash Borer continues to be found in new areas of New York. One of the invasive beetle was recently found in Onondaga County, which increases its coverage om the state to 15 counties. The beetle infests and kills North American ash species. There are 900 million ash trees in New York state that the beetles would like to consume. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for additional funds to battle the hungry beetle.
WKTV reports that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, says, "New York State is home to some of the world's most beautiful forests that today are at a major risk. Unless we take action, this harmful insect will continue to spread and eat away at trees and forests. We need to make the right investment and bring this harmful insect to a halt before it's too late."
The beetle was first discovered in 2002 in southeastern Michigan. It has killed 50 million ash trees in the U.S. since that time. A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation press release says most ash trees die within two to four years of becoming infested.
The state has regulations and quarantines in place to try and slow down the ash borer. Take a look: