Second U.P. Ash Borer Infestation Found in Moran
Foresters Now Testing Trees To Determine Scope of Problem
By Paul Gingras

This ash tree, growing close to the intersection of Dukes and Martin roads near Moran, represents the second infestation of the emerald ash borer in the Upper Peninsula. The voracious insect has destroyed millions of trees throughout eastern states, the Midwest, and Ontario, Canada. The Michigan Department of Agriculture confirmed the infestation Friday, October 5. Foresters are now searching for more infected trees in the area. (Photograph courtesy of Michigan Department of Agriculture)

A second emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in the Upper Peninsula has been discovered near Moran, in a tree near the intersection of Martin and Dukes roads. The site lies in Mackinac County, about 15 miles northwest of the Mackinac Bridge.

The infestation, found in a tree being monitored for the problem, was confirmed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Friday, October 5, leading foresters to begin an intensive analysis of ash trees in a surrounding half-mile area. The analysis will take place over the next several weeks, said MDA representative Jim Bowes. At best, if funding is available, the single incident will result in the removal of the ash trees within one-half mile. Additional discoveries could lead to the destruction of many more trees, to keep the beetle from spreading.

EAB, an aggressive Asian beetle, has led to the destruction or damage of about 25 million ash trees throughout the Midwest, eastern states, and Ontario. Efforts to prevent the spread of EAB-infested firewood north over the Mackinac Bridge have been intensive, following the discovery of EAB in Michigan in 2002.

The first EAB infestation in the Upper Peninsula was found in 2005 at Brimley State Park. To keep the voracious beetle from spreading, 450 ash trees in the area were destroyed.

Foresters working in soil conservation districts throughout the U.P., who are contracted with the MDA, are searching for trees with symptoms of EBA now. Near Moran, if foresters discover another infested tree, a half-mile area around it will be analyzed.

In a best-case scenario, no more infected trees will be discovered, in which case the MDA hopes to secure funding to destroy all ash trees within one-half mile of the infected tree in Moran.

This would be relatively easy to do, Mr. Bowes said, considering areas to the south of the infected tree are not forested. If more infected trees are found, however, the target area may grow and include thousands of trees, mostly black ash.

The removal of the trees presents a funding problem, and Mr. Bowes said he does not believe the MDA has sufficient funding to carry out a large operation. In Brimley, the department received federal assistance.

To pay for tree removal, "the MDA would seek additional funding because it is important to keep EAB from infecting the U.P. and spreading west into other states," Mr. Bowes said.

"There is a lot of ash in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota that is at risk," he added.

Locally, what the department does next depends on what the MDA-contracted foresters find near Moran. If no funding is secured for tree removal, the MDA will quarantine the area, and foresters will go door to door, informing residents that they cannot move logs, branches, or other parts of ash trees, Mr. Bowes said.

Quarantining the area without removing trees is not an effective method of dealing with the problem, however, he added.

The infested tree in Moran was discovered during a routine analysis of "detection trees" throughout the U.P.

Each year, to help discover EAB larva and eliminate them before they mature and spread, the MDA establishes 4,000 detection trees throughout all U.P. counties. A detection tree is "girdled," by removing a ring of bark to damage and weaken the trees. Theoretically, the stressed trees are more attractive to the beetles, Mr. Bowes said. The next year, the trees are cut down, bark is peeled, and foresters search for EAB larvae.

Other detection trees in the Moran area that were cut down and peeled showed no signs of EAB, he said.

Throughout Mackinac and other U.P. counties, there are still many more detection trees to assess, he said. At this point, the project is about 30% complete.

Whenever a detection tree is removed, another ash in the area is girdled and set for analysis next year.