In November 2015 the Emerald Ash Borer was found in Worcester. The Emerald Ash Borer is a highly destructive pest that targets all species of Ash trees. Tragically, there is no way to contain this pest, the best we can do is prepare for the loss of our Ash. This pest has devastated the Midwest, whose forest has a far higher concentration of Ash than our own. In Michigan 100% of all Ash trees greater than two inches in diameter have been killed. We will be working with the city as we plan for the spread of this pest. If you have information about this insect or about ash trees in Worcester we would welcome your call, 508-852-6400. For more detailed information, visit http://www.emeraldashborer.info.
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Looking for the Beetle: A Reflection on Ten Years Hunting ALB Felicia Andrade - ALB Ground Operations Supervisor
“It’s infested!” exclaims my colleague. We have been called out into the field to look at suspicious damage in a maple tree. As I walk up to the tree I immediately see the exit hole and gallery. Looking around at the other maples I quickly find a second tree with similar damage. “Looks like we have another one here.” I reply.
It’s been 10 years since the ALB was first reported in Worcester Massachusetts and since then 24,179 ALB infested trees have been found and removed... Thus changed the character of the heaviest hit Worcester neighborhoods, Greendale and Burncoat, leading the way for a massive reforestation effort.
There are more than a dozen trees susceptible to the Asian Longhorned Beetle which consequently must be checked by surveyors, removed in full host removal plans, and cannot be replanted at this time. Here is a list of all of the trees that we know to be affected.
Maple (all Maples) Birch (all Birches) Ash (all Ash) Poplar (all genus Populus) Willow (all Willow) Elm (all Elm) Horse Chestnut London Plane Tree Hackberry Mountain Ash Katsura Golden Rain Tree Mimosa
For more information on the Asian Longhorned Beetle click the button below.
Copies of Evelyn Herwitz's book "Trees at Risk: Reclaiming an Urban Forest" are available for a suggested contribution of $10, all proceeds will directly benefit the Worcester Tree Initiative. The book chronicles Worcester's history with an urban forestry focus from the founding of the city through present day. It's excellently written and introduces you to some of Worcester's biggest players including Steven Salisbury to Edward Winslow Lincoln (Salisbury and Lincoln Street), Obadiah Hadwen (of Hadwen Arboretum), and the benefactor of Green Hill Park, the Green family. It's a fascinating story which tells us where we've been and how we got to where we were about 10 years ago. She correctly predicts that the state of our urban forest at that time would be susceptible to pests such as Asian Longhorned Beetle. If you would like a copy send us an e-mail or give us a call. You can also find further information at http://www.treesatrisk.com/
