Adopt an ash tree!!!

An old ash tree in the mountains of North Carolina.

Emerald ash borer has been detected in more than 20 states. It is impossible to tell if quarantines have been successful in slowing the range expansion of the emerald ash borer, but it is clear that detection in South Carolina is inevitable.

What does this mean? There are four species of ash in South Carolina (green, white, Carolina and pumpkin ash) and all are attacked by the emerald ash borer. Ash is found in every county in South Carolina, but is most concentrated in moist soils associated with floodplains and rivers. It is also commonly planted as an ornamental shade tree in neighborhoods. The wood is used to make tool handles, furniture and is used in the hardwood veneer industry. Based on the experience of other states where emerald ash borer has been found, these trees could become rare or disappear!

Early detection may be key in protecting our trees.

What can you do? Adopt an ash tree or several! Look for ash trees in your neighborhood, city park, or favorite hiking spot, anywhere that you can easily visit weekly or monthly. Keep an eye on those trees throughout the year. During the winter you can look for flaking bark or woodpecker damage indicating an infestation of borers. In spring and summer you can look for sick foliage (fewer leaves, yellow leaves), sprouts from the base of the tree, D-shaped holes in the bark. If you see something suspicious contact the Forest Health section of the South Carolina Forestry Commission (djenkins@scfc.gov, or (803) 667-1002). DO NOT MOVE POSSIBLY INFESTED MATERIALS!!!   

Recognizing ash trees

Many of us don’t know an ash from our elbow, but with a little help you, too can identify ash trees.

In September ash trees produce winged oar-shaped seeds. These seeds will be common on the ground below a female ash… male ash trees do not produce seeds.

Seeds from a female ash tree. Seeds will be visible late in the summer and through winter. Some ash trees are male and will not have seeds.

 

The bark has deep diamond-shaped furrows.

Bark of an ash showing the distinct diamond-shaped furrows.

 

Foliage is compound; a leaf is composed of multiple leaflets.

Terminal stem of an ash tree showing the opposite compound leaves. In this drawing there are seven leaflets on each compound leaf.

 

Ash is one of the very few trees in our landscape that has opposite leaves, that is, the leaves come off of the stem opposite one another. Other trees that have opposite foliage are not easily confused with ash trees and include dogwoods, maples, horse chestnuts or buckeyes, and catalpas. The only problem is that many of the ash trees that we want to monitor won’t have leaves within easy reach!

If you would like more information or to learn other ways you can protect our forests contact us at: djenkins@scfc.gov, or (803) 667-1002.