Ash Borer

[topnotchtree]

The ash borer is spreading through my area. I have already put bids in on jobs but waiting to hear back. I know the wood is quarantined to the area but what about the chips. I have heard if the chips are 1 inch and smaller it kills the borer and will not spread.I have a very hard time believing this. I do not want to spread the borer so please fill me in. Thanks

 

[Stumper]

I have no specific info on Ash borers but chipping is devastating for most borers. It destroys their environment. Unless they are right at the point of emerging as adults it pretty well destroys their future.

 

[trees4life]

I did a quick check of the USDA website but couldn't find anything on emerald ash borer. I know in Ontario with ALB, once they determine a quarantine area, no wood, brush or chips will be permitted outside the quarnatine area. It will all have to be composted within the area.

I've been told that chipping should kill all eggs, larvae and beetles, but I guess the reasoning is if they are wrong, the results could be devastating.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Not exactly the same, but close, Gypsy moths survive chipping.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

(snip)

In Sec. 301.53-2, paragraph (a) designates the following
as regulated articles: (1) The emerald ash borer; (2) firewood (all
hardwood species); and (3) nursery stock, green lumber, and other
material living, dead, cut, or fallen, including logs, stumps, roots,
branches, and composted and uncomposted chips of the genus Fraxinus.

(snip)

Emerald Ash Borer; Quarantine and Regulations

Date: 2003/10/14

Federal Register: October 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 198)
Rules and Regulations
Page 59082-59091

 

[topnotchtree]

Sounds to me like the chips will be left on site. Thanks for the replies.

 

[ProfessorPlum]

If you're chipping any time except spring/early summer, there's no way that any significant number of the beetles will survive the chipping process. Those larvae need a significant length of intact cambium in order to complete their life cycle, and they're not going to get it on the surface of a wood chip.

Gypsy moths have everything they need to mature into adults by the time they are inside their cocoons, so that's a totally different situation.

Of course, if local regs require that all debris be left on site, you have to abide by that, but if it's only a matter of conscience, I would have no problems with running ash borer affected wood through the chipper and taking it off site. The larval stage doesn't have the necessary equipment, nor the instinct, to attempt to reintroduce itself into a new tree; only the adults can do that.

 

[ray benson]

The bug that kills ash trees has been found in N.E. Indiana.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/4/140562-7734-009.html

 

[murphy4trees]

I got a bad feeling about this one... seems like its too late to stop and slowing it may do some good, but this scenario is heartbeaking!

 

[kurtztree]

I hope it dont hit this area to soon. Maybe we'll see how it was back in the sixties with the dutch elm disease I wasn't breathing yet back then.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

With this one a one inch tree will support a full life cylce of the bug, so you need to cut everything down.

Some are saying that perventative treatment with merit will work.

Good security for the spray crews. Tell people it may come, so treat your ash trees now, just in case...