Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Concord

This month, the Concord Land Conservation Trust observed the emerald ash borer (EAB) on a dozen trees in the Upper Spencer Brook Valley, and the sightings were confirmed by the MA Department of Agriculture (MDAR) to be the emerald ash borer. This destructive invader from Asia targets and feeds on native ash tree species, and has been confirmed in 169 Massachusetts communities. The entire state of Massachusetts is part of a national quarantined zone, limiting the movement of all hardwood firewood, and green wood products, nursery stock, and any plant materials from any ash species in an effort to stop the spread. Ash trees of all species within our forests and suburban landscapes throughout Concord may host this invasive beetle.

Emerald ash borer can survive and spread in any ash product, including firewood, nursery stock, and live cuttings. To protect native ash resources, avoid moving ash materials, particularly firewood. When managing ash trees, materials should be chipped or remain on site.

Trees stressed by EAB exhibit canopy dieback near the treetop, shrubby resprouts on the lower trunk, D-shaped holes in the trunk, and may lack large sections of bark.

Biological control organisms consisting of three parasitoid wasp species have been released in Massachusetts by state and federal agencies and researchers. The hope is that, given time, this complex of biological control organisms can catch up to the populations of emerald ash borer and keep this invasive insect at densities below our tolerance threshold, particularly in forested settings, allowing the survival of our native ash species. Woodpeckers have also been found to be significant predators of emerald ash borer larvae.

Please contact the Natural Resources Division at (978) 318-3285 or nr@concordma.gov to report a sighting of any ash infested with EAB, and fill out a google form to report it to the state: https://massnrc.org/pests/eabreport.htm. Additional information on EAB, and other invasive plant pests, can be found at UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program here.