Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) detected in Middlebury, VT

In the past month, several new detections of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) around Vermont have been found including Middlebury. New detections were also found in the towns of Berlin, Highgate, Rupert, St. Albans, Swanton, and Wilmington. 

The new detection was discovered by a volunteer Vermont Forest Pest First Detector through a mid-season inspection of purple prism traps used to monitor for EAB hung this spring. You can see the scope of the spread of EAB infestations on the Infested Area Map. 

EAB infestations naturally spread one to two miles annually. However, without due care, the movement of infested material, especially ash firewood and logs, results in a faster and wider spread of EAB to uninfested areas. Carefully planning and managing the movement of infested or potentially infested material will slow the spread and provide greater protection for uninfested forests. “Slow-the-Spread” recommendations now apply to Middlebury.

Business owners, homeowners, and forest landowners in the infested area should now evaluate the options available to them:

• Monitor your ash trees. Go to https://vtinvasives.org/land/emerald-ash-borer-vermont for more information about identifying ash trees and signs of EAB infestation.

Signs and Symptoms

• • Adult beetles emerge in late May/early June
  • Bark splitting 
  • S-shaped tunnels behind outer bark
  • D-shaped exit holes 1/8" wide on bark surface
  • Woodpecker flecking
  • Dead top branches of ash trees
  • Leafy offshoots from the lower trunk of ash trees
    

• Treat your ash tree with insecticide. Ash trees that are in an infested area can be considered for treatment. Ash trees can be a valuable part of the landscape. A healthy ash tree can increase property value, improve air and water quality, and provide shade. Determine if an ash tree is valuable enough to warrant long-term protection by considering its health, shape, and location. Healthy trees have full crowns, elongating branches, and bark held tightly to the trunk and branches. There are organic and non-organic choices.
• Remove and Replace. A living ash tree is safer and less costly to remove. If your tree is damaged, exhibits more than 30% canopy dieback, or is growing in a poor site, remove and replace the tree with an alternate species. The Town of Middlebury recommends replacing every mature tree removed with two young trees to preserve the tree canopy and its benefits. Key to assuring the good health of a tree is planting the right tree in the right place. You can find suggestions for tree species and their growing needs and habits at https://vtcommunityforestry.org/resources/tree-care/tree-planting. 

The State of Vermont and Green Mountain Power are planning on removing Ash Trees along the public right-of-way to avoid hazardous situations.

Also, insecticide treatment resources were updated  on the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program’s EAB planning webpage:

• Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer with Insecticide Treatments
• Ash Tree Protection Services Contact List – September 2021
• Frequently Asked Questions: Insecticide Applications to Protect Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer

If you have questions about managing ash in your woodlot, around your home, or business or need Use Value Appraisal guidance, check out the resources available at VTinvasives.org.

Below are a series of FAQs and suggested sites where you can easily find additional information.