Introduction

The introduction of organisms into new ranges, either deliberate or accidental, can alter the distribution of native species and the structure of native communities. Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an introduced Buprestid that has altered the distribution of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees throughout southeastern Michigan, USA, and Windsor, Ontario, CA. Since its initial discovery in July 2002, EAB has spread throughout Michigan with populations occurring in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, and most recently, Pennsylvania. It appears that all species of North American ash are susceptible to infestation, including naturally occurring individuals and planted landscape trees.
With the current geographic range of EAB and the potential for further range by this pest, it is important to catalog individual and groupings of ash trees that have survived in sites that have experienced heavy infestation and high ash mortality rates. Monitoring living ash trees that have survived in the high mortality areas of southeastern Michigan will provide data leading to the determination of site and individual characteristics that facilitate this survival.

Objective

The objective of the cataloging of living ash trees within the core EAB infestation zone is to develop a database of living ash trees through aerial surveys, urban forester involvement, and ground corroboration by properly equipped field crews.

Submit a Live Ash Location

Study Area

This study will focus on sites located within Wayne County, the southern 1/3 of Oakland County, and the eastern 1/3 of Washtenaw County (Fig. 1). Within these counties, where high ash mortality has occurred as a result of EAB infestation, natural forest sites will be selected based on the presences of live ash initially identified from aerial surveys. Areas identified through the aerial surveys as containing live ash trees will be visited by ground crews.
In addition to aerial surveys, collaboration with urban foresters operating in these southeastern Michigan Counties will provide additional information regarding the presence of live ash trees within urban and suburban areas.

Figure 1: Core emerald ash borer infestation zone and live ash catalog project study area.