Emerald Ash Borer Update

Emerald Ash Borer Update   

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is in Maryland and it's attacking ash trees.  Unfortunately, it's has a 100 percent mortality rate for trees without treatment.  Worse than that, the trees look pretty healthy until they are about to die.  The borer makes little tunnels under the bark which weakens the tree.  We have a lot of Ash in the area and in the Parks.  Trees that are along trails and Parkway will be removed so that they do not cause any safety issues for Park users.  Trees deep in the forest will be left to decompose.

If you have an ash in your yard, you need to get it evaluated immediately.  It's possible to treat the tree and save it, but you must commit to treating the tree for the rest of its life.  Any certified arborist will be able to help you.

How to identify an Ash?- 

Ashes are canopy trees with compound leaves and opposite branching.  Very few trees have opposite branching so that's a good place to start.  This website has really good description of the tree.  http://treedoctor.msu.edu/ash/ashtree_id.html

Ash Trees in Little Falls Park

Patrick Harwood of Montgomery Parks is in charge of the Emerald Ash and writes:

I just wanted to give the folks in the Little Falls area a heads up about the Tree removal work we will be starting in the next couple of weeks. We will be removing approximately 60 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infested Ash tree along Little Falls Parkway and a portion Little Falls paved trail.

The areas we will be working in are;
Norwood local park, heading south from Norwood following the paved trail south to Hillandale Road then heading south on the paved trail to Dorset Ave.

We will also be removing ash trees at many points along Little Falls Parkway from Hillandale Road to Massachusetts Avenue.

Expect Delays on the Parkway:
There will be intermittent delays on both the Parkway and trails while the work is being done. The delays on the trails should be no longer than 15 minutes on the trails to allow for safe tree removal and trail user passage. The parkway will have rolling single lane closures and be flagged in the single lane portion. Our goal is to minimize disturbance to commuters and trail users. The work will be planned outside of rush hour as much as possible.

In advance of  the work beginning we will be placing educational and notice of work signs out for park users to get more info on EAB and the work. Electronic signage will stationed along the Parkway with notice of the work and possible delays.

More Information:
EAB do not harm humans or any other species of tree other than ash (Fraxinus sp.). EAB only feed on live ash trees.

For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer go to www.emeraldashborer.info and visit our website http://www.montgomeryparks.org/?s=Emerald+ash+borer for more information on EAB in Montgomery Parks.

Feel free to contact me if you have any comments questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Patrick Harwood
MNCPPC, Montgomery Parks
16641 Crabbs Branch Way
Rockville, MD 20855
301-258-4017