Elmerald Ash Borer Being Held at Bay by City Horticulturist

STAUNTON, VA (05/19/2010)(readMedia)-- This summer the City Horticulturist, Matt Sensabaugh, will be working with the Virginia Department of Ag & Consumer Services to monitor for the presence of Emerald Ash Borer in the City of Staunton. Emerald Ash Borer is an introduced pest of all Ash trees. EAB, as it is commonly referred too, is a wood boring insect that was accidentally imported into America. The larval stage of the insect eats into the trunk of the tree, killing it within a few years. In Northern States such as Michigan, EAB is in the process of wiping out the Ash trees. EAB has not yet been detected in our area, however it is present in the Northern Virginia Area as far south as Manassas. EAB is working it's way south gradually but is most commonly spread by humans moving firewood or nursery stock (trees) so it may jump more quickly. In fact EAB was brought to Virginia from Michigan in a load of infested nursery stock.

As a result, there is a quarantine of all wood related products originating in the northern portion of Virginia. Unfortunately, we have a lot of folks that pass through Staunton on there way to camp, hunt, or fish in the national forest or points west of town. Many of those folks carry their own firewood and may unknowingly bring this pest to Staunton.

Today the crews spent the day hanging monitor traps for EAB. The traps are a 3 sided purple poly material and have a maluka oil bait inside them and resemble a box kite. Traps are hung in Ash Trees at the locations below and will be monitored over the course of the summer. If the traps are found on the ground please let the Parks and Recreation Department know so they can re-hang them.

If you have any questions please call Matt Sensabaugh, City of Staunton Horticulturist & ISA Certified Arborist at 490-1133. The good news is that the City Parks do not have many Ash trees in their plantings. The bad news is that when this pest arrives it will probably wipe out any Ash trees in town that do not receive preventive treatments. Parks will probably begin treating some of our specimen Ash trees in the parks either this summer or next spring to protect them.

Trap Locations:

Gypsy Hill Park- Four traps total, 1 at East Entrance, 1 near Gypsy Express, 1 at West End near volleyball, 1 at Lake Tams

Montgomery Hall Park- Two traps total. 1 near Lancaster field, 1 near Harlow field.

White Star Resturaunt- 1 trap near intersection of Mill St & South New St.

Downtown Fire Station- 1 trap near back of building at intersection of Pump St & Central Ave.

Reservoir Hill Park- 1 trap along back fence line, adjacent to Thornerose Ave

Betsy Bell Park- 1 trap about ¼ mile up entrance road on left.

The Staunton Parks and Recreation Department, the City's Front Porch: Recreate and Live Better.