Lingering Ash Trees May Be Key to Restoring Forests

Across the US and Canada, the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle originating from Asia, has caused major die-offs of native ash trees. The beetle lays eggs in the bark of ash trees and after hatching, the larvae feed on the inner bark, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water, eventually killing the tree.

New research has discovered ash trees with some level of resistance that persist in healthy conditions despite major beetle infestations and die-offs in their area.

Once ash borer resistant trees, known as lingering ash, have been identified, researchers can take twig samples and selectively breed highly ash borer resistant trees within two generations.

To help identify potential lingering ash, the Ecological Research Institute has developed a Monitoring and Managing Ash program, where citizen-scientists can monitor their own ash tree stands for lingering ash. To learn more about lingering ash and to participate in this effort to identify and save ash trees you can visit www.monitorash.org