Tree-killing insect detected in Burlco

TRENTON - The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a tiny, metallic-green beetle - just a half-inch long by an eighth of an inch wide. But it creates big problems for ash trees, and it is now in Westampton.

Municipal officials and residents in the Burlington County town, as well as Bridgewater and Hillsborough in Somerset County, and Ewing and West Windsor in Mercer County, have been encouraged by state officials to visit the emerald ash borer website www.emeraldashborer.nj.gov to learn how to protect their ash trees and what to do with dead or dying trees.

"Emerald ash borer is a fast-moving, highly destructive, invasive pest, which could lead to the death of ash trees," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.

"Now that the beetle is in New Jersey and is starting to spread, we ask that towns put plans in place to respond to the beetle," Fisher said.

EAB first turned up in Somerset County in May 2014. It was detected by a landscaper working at a shopping center in Bridgewater and later in Bernards Township.

State officials immediately were concerned that the beetle would move south. It did.

The state has set up traps in ash trees to track EAB's potential spread in 27 Burlington County towns, three in Camden County, eight in Hunterdon County, 10 in Mercer County, 11 in Middlesex County, two in Monmouth County, three in Morris County, 15 in Somerset County, and eight in Union County. For the list of towns, go to www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/2015eabtraplist.pdf.

The insect was initially discovered in Michigan in 2002. It has killed tens of millions of ash trees across 25 states and two Canadian provinces, and has now spread across Pennsylvania and New York.

The female beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. The eggs hatch and the larvae bore into the bark to the fluid-conducting vessels underneath, state officials said. The larvae feed and develop, cutting off the flow of nutrients and, eventually, killing the tree.

A native of Asia, EAB attacks and kills North American species of true ash, and tree death occurs three to five years following initial infestation.

The New Jersey emerald ash borer website describes signs of the beetle as well as how to identify ash trees and report a possible infestation.

The site also gives towns an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan template and a tree removal cost calculator. Homeowners will see a risk map and treatment options, and woodland owners will find a list of companies that will accept ash.

New Jersey is part of a federal quarantine to prevent the spread of the beetle, which prohibits movement of ash trees outside of the quarantine zone.

The state also recommends not moving firewood. Firewood is a vehicle for movement of tree-killing forest pests, including EAB.

Use local firewood when burning it at home and when traveling, burn firewood where you buy it, the department says.

Signs of the beetle may be reported to the Department of Agriculture at 609-406-6939. - Edward Colimore