News Summary
The invasive Emerald Ash Borer poses a significant threat to Ash trees in Upstate South Carolina, particularly around wetlands and river bottoms. Local conservation efforts are underway, including tree removals and monitoring methods to combat the spread of this pest. Unfortunately, the prognosis for Ash trees in the region remains grim, with continued decline expected.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle originally from China, poses a severe threat to Ash trees in Upstate South Carolina. Identified for the first time in Detroit in the early 2000s, the EAB is believed to have entered the U.S. through wood pallets and packing materials in the 1990s. The beetle attacks Ash trees by burrowing into their trunks to lay eggs, while the larvae feed on the tree’s phloem, a vital component for nutrient transport, ultimately leading to the death of the tree.
The population of Ash trees in South Carolina is currently low, accounting for less than 1% of the state’s tree inventory, as confirmed by forestry health program managers. The EAB typically spreads its infestation several miles each year, mainly by moving from one group of trees to another. The pest favors Ash trees situated around wetlands and river bottoms, impacting areas like Lawson’s Fork Creek and the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve.
In response to the EAB infestation, local conservation efforts have resulted in the removal of dozens of dead or dying Ash trees. EAB-infected Ash trees tend to die rapidly, becoming brittle and hazardous to nearby structures and individuals. Remaining Ash trees in local nature preserves include a few saplings possibly untouched by the beetle and mature trees showing signs of infection.
Although there are intervention methods that may help combat EAB, there is no universally effective solution. Treatments with pesticides can preserve individual Ash trees, yet this approach is impractical on a broader scale due to the sheer number of affected trees. In some cases, parasitoid wasps from Asia are being released, which naturally feed on the EAB and help in managing their populations. Additionally, about one in every thousand Ash trees may possess a natural resistance to the beetle, hinting at a sliver of hope for some isolated stands.
The prognostic outlook for Ash trees in South Carolina is grim, with experts predicting that these trees will continue to dwindle in number throughout the region and across the United States due to the EAB. The state’s Ash species include the Green Ash and Carolina Ash, the latter being commonly found in urban forests. Notably, the visible signs of EAB infestation may take 1-2 years to manifest, and once treatment is delayed, the tree may perish within 3-5 years without intervention.
Preventative strategies against the spread of the EAB have been proposed, such as sourcing wood locally for travel beyond a 50-mile radius to curb the incidental movement of pests. The EAB has already inflicted damage on Ash populations across 27 states since being introduced into the U.S., presenting an acute risk to forests in South Carolina.
In a concerted effort to monitor the situation, Clemson University has set up over 1,000 traps statewide, including 71 in the Spartanburg area, to detect the presence of the EAB. As the situation unfolds, it remains clear that the threat of this invasive pest looms large over the state’s Ash tree population, necessitating ongoing vigilance and response from state officials and environmental organizations alike.
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HERE Resources
Spartanburg Community Celebrates Restoration of Cottonwood Trail
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Ash Tree Attack by Invasive Beetle
- ABC News 4: Invasive Tree Killing Beetle Spotted in South Carolina
- GoUpstate: New Paved Trail and Bridges at Cottonwood Trail
- GoUpstate: SC Officials Monitor Traps for Emerald Ash Borer
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright Resigns
- Wikipedia: Emerald Ash Borer
- Google Search: Emerald Ash Borer
- Google Scholar: Emerald Ash Borer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Emerald Ash Borer
- Google News: Emerald Ash Borer
