Researchers seek ash seeds from local landowners
CHILLICOTHE― Researchers are asking residents of Ross County to help regional forest health efforts by collecting ash seeds. This effort will help to bring back the native ash trees that have been destroyed by the invasive emerald ash borer.
Ever since the emerald ash borer arrived in Detroit in 2002, the invasive pest has been spreading across the country, ravaging ash populations in its wake. The shiny green beetle had reached most of Michigan’s lower peninsula by the mid 2000s, and a decade later had reached nearly all of Ohio, Indiana, northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and more. Researchers estimate that a mature ash tree can die from a borer attack in about six years. This means some areas in the Midwest have been missing their trees for a while while others are just starting to watch their ash disappear.
Since the emerald ash borer arrived in the U.S., researchers have been working to understand the biology of the beetle and ways to stop its spread. Although certain pesticides seem to slow it down, tens of millions of ash have already been lost. This is a detriment to wildlife that rely on the trees That’s why forestry professionals are starting to consider other ways to prevent an ash-free future.
“We’re fighting back while planning ahead,” said Rachel Kappler, forest health coordinator for the Great Lakes Basin (GLB) Forest Health Collaborative. “We’re collecting seeds from ash trees that might be resistant to the beetles, relying on the help of private citizens to help locate the trees. Our hope is that a tree breeding program will allow restoration and reforestation efforts to save the species — and save our forests.”
In January 2021, ecologists, foresters and other conservation professionals from across the Great Lakes Region launched a new collaborative effort to save the ash and other trees currently affected by invasive pests. The GLB Forest Health Collaborative’s goal is to unite efforts to breed ash, American beech and eastern hemlock trees that are pest-resistant and can be widely used to restore forests.
Landowners have begun sending Kappler reports of their trees directly but many more are using the popular citizen science app, TreeSnap, to submit their observations. By downloading the app any person can submit an observation of any tree. When someone submits a healthy, mature tree in an otherwise pest-infested area, what is called a lingering tree, the GLB Forest Health Collaborative takes notice.
Once a healthy tree, like ash, has been reported, the research team may plan a visit to confirm that it’s truly a lingering tree. If it is, they collect either seeds or a sample of the tree in the form of a cutting they can bring back to their base at the Holden Arboretum outside Cleveland, Ohio, for propagation of test trees. If the tree passes the test, and isn’t affected by emerald ash borers, it can be used for breeding pest-resistant trees.
The GLB Forest Health Collaborative is expanding its seed collection efforts for ash trees. They’re targeting trees from places in which the emerald ash borer was detected in 2010 or earlier since those areas should have already seen widespread tree death. This significantly increased the odds that any remaining large, healthy trees have resistance to the beetles.
Twenty-six counties across multiple states are particularly important for ash seed collection this fall. In Ohio these counties are Warren, Sandusky, Miami and Ross.
Those wanting more information on ash seed collection can read the resources from the U.S. Forest Service. For anyone not comfortable or able to collect seeds themselves, help is available through the GLB Forest Health Collaborative. Their experts can walk you through the process or put you in touch with a county forester in your area who may be able to stop by to collect the seeds.
“We couldn’t do this work without the private landowners who let us know where potentially resistant trees might be,” said Kappler. “Without these trees, we wouldn’t have our breeding program.”
If you have any questions or would like to report a tree or collect seeds, contact Rachel Kappler at rkappler@holdenfg.org.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Researchers seek ash seeds from local landowners
