September 6, 2017
BENNINGTON, Vt. -- Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive pest that kills all types of ash trees, has recently been found in Vermont. State and Federal officials will hold a public meeting in Bennington on Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 regarding EAB. Those attending the meeting will learn about EAB, impacts of the quarantine, disposal options, slow the spread recommendations, and implications for the forest industry and municipalities.
Officials with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the USDA Forest Service (USFS) will be present to answer questions.
EAB has been confirmed in Bennington, Caledonia, Orange, and Washington counties. For a current map of the infested zone visit www.VTInvasives.org.
As in other states already impacted by the bug, Vermont’s 160 million ash trees are now under attack and will likely die within the coming decade. State officials highly recommend that municipalities, landowners, and forest industry professionals prepare for this unfortunate new reality.
Emerald Ash Borer Informational Meeting
Tuesday, September 11th
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Vermont Veterans Home
325 North Street
Bennington, Vermont
Emerald ash borer larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves water, nutrients, and carbohydrates up and down the trunk. It was first discovered in North America in the Detroit area in 2002, and over the past sixteen years it has decimated ash populations in over 30 states. Ash trees comprise approximately 5% of Vermont forests and are also a very common and important urban tree. EAB threatens white ash, green ash and black ash in Vermont and could have significant ecological and economic impacts.
For more information on EAB, please visit www.vtinvasives.org