Little Green Invaders Threatening North Shore and Beyond

Straight out of a science fiction story, little green invaders are coming and they're leaving destruction in their wake. Emerald ash borers, invasive insects from Asia, have arrived in our state, and they are absolutely lethal to ash trees. The borer is  metallic green in color and small enough to fit on the top of a penny; but though small in size; the Emerald ash borer has already killed tens of millions of trees across the eastern states. In the next ten years, experts estimate that the borer will kill most ash trees in the United States.

Currently, infestation of the borer has been identified in both Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties. Within the next year or within a few years, we expect to see increase woodpecker activity at the Center, a hallmark of infestation. We know that soon thereafter, it will wipe out most of our ash trees and threaten the loss of four species of ash: blue, black, green, and white. The Center will look like a very different place - as will your own yard, street, and community. The destruction will be great.

We've been dealing with plant invaders like buckthorn and garlic mustard for years. And although we have made progress little by little, this invader is different - when it's presence becomes apparent, it will already be too late. So, by necessity, we're bring very proactive in treating it now.

Last summer, we began a treatment program to preserve selected ash seed trees as part of our long-term forest recovery plan. We've also started to plant an understory of other tree species in areas where we stand to lose 100 percent of the ash tree canopy. This will ensure that these new plants will be started and established when the ashes die. We're cutting down some ash to protect valuable species that could be damaged by decaying trees. And in some areas that we know will become cleared, we're planting prairies to connect existing prairie and create a larger habitat for grassland birds.

We have already conducted an ash borer conference on managing high conservation value forests. With our research and expertise, we will continue to provide leadership to help individuals and organizations make sound decisions regarding ash borer management and the future of our forests.