Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Threatens Bucks County State Park

The invasive emerald ash borer has been located at Tyler State Park and stands the threaten the health of the trees there.

To avoid damage to the park's trees, a salvage harvest has been planned this spring. Ash trees located in areas of the park that are most often frequented by the public will be removed, the park announced on its website.

Work is scheduled to begin later in the summer and fall of 2016 on the timber salvage harvest to remove many dead and dying ash trees affected or soon to be affected by the emerald ash borer infestation, officials confirmed.

"A timber salvage sale is being used to remove ash and hazardous trees for the safety of park visitors within picnic areas and high use areas as well as from an area on the south side of the park near Fisherman’s Lot. The salvage harvest effort will entail retention of all other healthy, hardwood tree species in the area. Once removal is complete, re-planting plans will be implemented."

Park manager Brian Flores told the Newtown Advance if the trees are not removed, the invasive beetle could likely kill every ash tree in the forest. "The only option is to remove the trees that are safety hazards for park visitors," he told the publication.

The emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle that was first discovered in southeastern Michigan in the summer of 2002. It has since been found in 25 states and killed tens of millions of ash trees.

The insect likely arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia, according to experts.

The adult emerald ash borer is a metallic green insect about one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide making it hard to detect in the wild, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture explains on its website.

"The female beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. The eggs hatch and the larvae bore into the bark to the fluid-conducting vessels underneath. The larvae feed and develop, cutting off the flow of nutrients and, eventually killing the tree. EAB attacks and kills North American species of true ash, and tree death occurs three to five years following initial infestation."

PHOTO: EAB via N.J. Department of Agriculture website.