Emerald ash borer galleries found underneath ash tree bark. Photo: Jeff Hahn, UMN Extension Entomologist |
Now University of Minnesota researchers are studying ways to make this storm cloud have a silver lining. They are studying innovative ways to use that wood for good.
Read this article to learn more:
Emerald Ash Borer caught in a trap in Dodge County. Photo: Jeff Hahn, UMN Extension Entomologist |
It’s hard to avoid hearing about the emerald ash borer (EAB) and
its effects on ash tree populations. Since it was first discovered in Minnesota
in 2009, the beetle has continued to spread across our landscape, and the
effects of the invasive insect are devastating: EAB attacks and kills nearly
all ash trees greater than 1” in diameter.
I spoke with Extension forestry
educator Angela Gupta to find out what the impacts on Minnesota’s forests will
be, and what experts are doing to mitigate the damage.
The future seems pretty dire for Minnesota's ash trees. How many trees could potentially be killed by EAB?
There are nearly 1 billion ash trees in Minnesota, and once EAB
reaches a stand of ash the expected mortality for ash within the stand is
nearly 100%.
That's a lot of trees!
It is, and the loss of such a huge number of trees can have big
impacts on the ecosystem, including changing the structure of wetlands,
reducing species diversity, loss of habitat, and potentially allowing the
introduction of additional invasive species. There’s also research that
invasive plants thrive in the wake of EAB because more light and other
resources are available for them to fill the niche left by ash (one more boon
for buckthorn!).
There are also huge economic
impacts, including costs for removal or treatment (some people and communities
choose to use insecticide injections to protect their ash trees, some do
preemptive removals and replant), as well as the effects on the timber market.
So how is the University of Minnesota working to reduce the impacts of EAB?
A statewide working group called the Wood Innovation Team was
formed to enhance and help innovate the state’s wood industry with the goal of
enhancing Minnesota’s economic and environmental health. One of the project
goals is finding innovative uses for wood products, such as the dead ash from
EAB.
Can you give me some examples?
The projects really run the gamut, from huge ideas like biofuels
and mass timber (using timber to build tall buildings), to smaller projects
like the demonstration project I’m working on right now. Using Minnesota ash
wood, we’re building a
green-roofed garden shed with a covered bike rack!
The site will also serve as
a learning site for students and community members to learn about invasive species
and innovative uses for dying ash trees.
That sounds like an amazing project! How can people get involved?
Anyone can support this project by donating funds to our crowdfunding
campaign or by volunteering at our shed building
event!
For questions or comments about this project contact Angela Gupta, UMN Extension, agupta@umn.edu, 507-280-2869.
For questions or comments about this project contact Angela Gupta, UMN Extension, agupta@umn.edu, 507-280-2869.
If you’d like to learn more
about emerald ash borer or Minnesota’s ash resource be sure to check out
Extension booklet: Ash Management Guidelines.