Michiganders Needed To Report Ash Borer Survivors
Thursday, October 30, 2014
DETROIT - It's a scavenger hunt of sorts: the U.S. Forest Service is hoping Michiganders can help them find the few ash trees which have managed to survive the invasion of a deadly Asian beetle in the hopes of one day reviving the state's ash population.
Research biologist Jennifer Koch, with the Northern Research Station of the USDA Forest Service, says while more than 50 million ash trees in the upper Midwest have been killed since the emerald ash borer arrived in the U.S. about a dozen years ago, they've recently spotted a few survivors.
"We think they have a level of tolerance to emerald ash borer," Koch says. "They're not completely resistant, they still get infested, but they're definitely able to live longer in areas where all the other ash are getting killed very rapidly. "
The Forest Service has a new online reporting tool on its website where gardeners, hikers, and other wildlife enthusiasts can help identify surviving trees in southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio. Qualifying ash trees must be in natural forested areas, have a healthy canopy, and have not been treated with insecticides.
Koch says the hope is to take small limbs and cuttings from the survivors and grown them into offspring trees in greenhouses where they'll be further tested with ash borer eggs. She says the end result could help bring ash trees back to Michigan.
"Ultimately we want to breed for tolerant or resistant ash trees so we can restore all of the ash resources that we've lost in these areas," she says.
Koch adds, the study will likely expand to other parts of the state soon.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…
Social Issues
A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …
Social Issues
Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …
Social Issues
Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…