Please Read Before Buying an Ash

Emerald ash borer is a threat to the ash population in the state of Nebraska. A clearing house for information about EAB is the website, www.emeraldashborer.info. Here is an excerpt from their home page, “Emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle (emerald green in color) that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002.... Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Emerald ash borer is also established in Windsor, Ontario, was found in Ohio in 2003, northern Indiana in 2004, and northern Illinois in 2006.”

The insect attacks all varieties of ash. The adult insect can travel only about ˝ mile on its own. It can travel great distances though in infected wood. Transporting firewood from infested areas seems to pose the greatest threat of spreading EAB to un-infested areas. Many things are being done to slow the movement of the insect, including state and federal quarantines on ash nursery stock and firewood movement from infested states, and work on ways to kill the insect where it has been established.

Ash is a major part of the Nebraska forest. If EAB were to become established here, the effects could be devastating, not just to the trees planted recently, but to the millions of ash trees across the state. Our main focus therefore is to make everyone aware of the pest so everyone can help us prevent it from coming to Nebraska. Since the insect can only travel about ˝ mile by itself in its lifetime, it will not get to Nebraska by itself. If it gets here, it will be carried in on infected wood. Through discussion we have had with the USDA and the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture, we are confident in the procedures they have in place to prevent EAB from coming into the state on nursery stock. (Mulhall’s has plenty of Nebraska grown ash in our fields.) Secondly, Mulhall’s is working with local, state and federal regulators and industry associations to encourage an ad campaign informing campers of the hazards of moving firewood and to develop rules about the movement of firewood. As well, we are trying to instruct our customers, via signs and our website of the potential harm of the insect and the need to avoid moving firewood. By slowing the progression of EAB, we are hopeful that pesticides will be developed to control the pest long before it gets to Nebraska.

The ash remains a wonderful tree for the plains. Because of the threat of EAB, ash prices have dropped significantly across the country. Our prices on ash trees this year will be considerably lower than previous years. Customers and clients will be able to get more tree for the dollar by selecting ash. Mulhall’s will continue to sell ash trees to our customers, but we want to make sure our customers know about EAB before they decide to buy an ash. We will also continue to encourage diverse plantings, which always are best, regardless of which pest we are battling.

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