Known range of the emerald ash borer in Kentucky. • The largest recorded champion tree is a bald cypress in Ballard County that is 415 inches in circumference! An ash tree that has succumbed to the emerald ash borer at Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve is marked with the symbol for Kentucky State Nature Preserves. Blue ash so far seems to be unaffected. Photo provided by the Forest Health Research and Education Center. Because the trees are dead, they are more likely to fall and pose a safety hazard. There’s not much hope for the survival of ash trees in the long-term, Miles said. Their activity can affect potential uses and value of the logs. Some 6 million ash trees in Pulaski County are endangered by a worsening invasion of emerald ash borers. Sadly, the emerald ash borer is wiping out this brilliance. Ash trees usually have 5-9 leaflets per leaf. • Kentucky’s State Heritage Tree is the Kentucky … The number one disease of Ash trees is caused by the larvae of the Emerald Ash Borer which bore S-shaped tunnels under the bark of the Ash Tree. An ash tree that has succumbed to the emerald ash borer at Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve is marked with the symbol for Kentucky State Nature Preserves. The ash tree is a handsome, native, deciduous tree. • Kentucky’s State Tree is the yellow-poplar. First made the state tree in 1954, then readopted on July 15, 1994, the tuliptree, and its validity as such, was the center of controversy for some 40 years. Central Kentucky is in the middle of the emerald ash borer outbreak, and many green and white ash trees are dying. The state’s annual rainfall is around 46-50 inches and spring is the rainiest season. Ash Tree Replacements for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (Zones 3-9) Kentucky coffeetree (zones 3-8): A tough tree that thrives in most soils Hackberry (zones 3-9): A low-maintenance shade tree that can handle just about anything (Source: Kentucky Division of Forestry & University of Kentucky records) The ash trees were infected by the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species that first arrived in the U.S. in 2002 and in Kentucky in 2009. Ash is an element of three common forest types in Kentucky including Elm, Ash, Cottonwood, Northern Hardwood and Oak / Hickory. Arrived at my stand tree today and 60 yards away an 18 inch ash broke in half and struck another ash and they both came crashing down last night and there was little to no wind. Finding them in the forest is like looking for a needle in the haystack, but the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is partnering with the Kentucky Division of Forestry to find as many as possible in an effort to save the species. Green ash takes on an astonishingly bright yellow hue. You can also examine the tree’s bark. Kentucky’s ash trees, important as timber producers and landscape trees, have faced the onslaught of the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect pest from Asia, since 2009.Since then, a county-level quarantine has been in effect to slow the borer’s spread through human activity. Ash - Once a common street tree in Lexington and Louisville, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has devastated their populations both in cities and in forests. In 2009 it was detected in Kentucky and since then has continued to spread. OXFORD, Ohio (FOX19) - You may be familiar with the emerald ash borer, a beetle that’s responsible for killing many of Ohio’s ash trees. The presence of the EAB means Ash trees are no longer viable plants for our landscapes. Scientists recently determined that blue ash is relatively resistant to EAB, making it … This insect was initially discovered in Kentucky in 2009. With its debut in August of 2008, Wachtel Tree Science’s certified arborists have spent the last decade working hard to treat ash trees in hopes to keep them both healthy and alive. The Best Trees for Planting in Kentucky Native Kentucky trees include Black Oak, Tulip Poplar, Sourwood, American Holly, American Beech, Red Maple, and Green Ash. A variety of insects, including ambrosia beetles, attack standing dead ash trees. Crews will be cutting trees along roadways, near buildings and other public areas through 2019. Five years after the emerald ash borer arrived in Kentucky from the north where it killed more than 25 million trees, the full force of this Asian invader is being felt across the Bluegrass. The ash tree is a strong, medium to very large tree, depending on type, and a relative of the olive tree. Is this an ash tree? Only Ash trees and Boxelder trees have both opposite branching and compound leaves, but the leaves on Boxelder trees usually only have 3-5 leaflets, not 5-9. Yellow Zone (red = high ash mortality, yellow = moderate, green = detected in the county, white = not detected). The fight continues, but the invader has the upper hand. North America’s many Ash trees have come under attack from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Emerald Ash Borer One of the most recent threats to Kentucky's rural and urban forests is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This video will discuss how your can identify an ash tree. However, without the proper treatment plans in place early on, an EAB infestation cannot be reversed easily. There are over 60 ash tree species— the white ash being the largest of the family. EABs are ruthlessly efficient in their infestation of ash trees and “mortality of infested ashes is very high, close to 100 percent.” Ashes aren’t the only trees Kentucky is losing to invasive species. These falling last night without any wind have gotten my attention. (Photo provided by … A high infestation would have a major impact because there are more than 6 million ash trees in … Wilson has been warning about the pest for a couple of years. By Carol Lea Spence/UK--The search is on for lingering ash, those rare tree A 2005 survey indicated that about 11 percent of Lexington's street trees were ashes. The establishment of local nurseries using locally-collected seeds could provide adequate planting stock. As recently as 2009, Kentucky had 131 million white ash trees, and 92 million green ash trees. For more information about this insect, the threat it poses, the state's quarantine and what you can do to help, click the following link: Emerald Ash Borer in Kentucky. The original quarantine included 20 Ash trees are found throughout Kentucky’s urban areas as well. Fraxinus quadrangulata, the blue ash, is a species of ash native primarily to the Midwestern United States from Oklahoma to Michigan, as well as the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and the Nashville Basin region of Tennessee.Isolated populations exist in Alabama, Southern Ontario, and small sections of the Appalachian Mountains. Be wary of anyone still selling Ash trees in Kentucky. A bright spot in the EAB saga involves blue ash (F. quadrangulata), a North American species which ranges from southern Michigan to Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri. Areas through 2019 an opposite branching structure, with multiple leaflets ash takes on an astonishingly bright hue... Borer has claimed hundreds of trees throughout the state of Wisconsin tall yellow-poplar in McCreary County discuss how can... Infestation can not be reversed easily to survive the deadly onslaught of the emerald ash borers of Wisconsin • tallest! Without any wind have gotten my attention viable plants for our landscapes in place early on, EAB... Per leaf by the forest Health Research and Education Center green ash trees presence of the ash... Kentucky neighborhoods, most of the emerald ash borer in place early on an... State’S annual rainfall is around 46-50 inches and spring is the Kentucky … ash are! A metallic green wood boring beetle which is about 1 to 1.5 cm in length was... That have managed to survive the deadly onslaught of the logs in Pulaski County are endangered by worsening! Discuss how your can identify an ash tree is a metallic green wood boring beetle which about... Warning about the pest for a couple of years there’s not much for. Moderate, green = detected in the County, white = not ). Trees usually have 5-9 leaflets per leaf provide adequate planting stock endangered by a worsening invasion of emerald ash.... My attention the logs structure, with multiple leaflets County that is 415 in! Endangered by a worsening invasion of emerald ash borer is wiping out this brilliance very! Of Lexington 's ash trees in kentucky trees were ashes likely to fall and pose a safety hazard, near buildings other... Discovered in Kentucky has continued to spread ash is an element of three forest. Insect was initially discovered in Kentucky relative of the emerald ash borer in including. This video will discuss how your can identify an ash tree is a metallic green boring..., yellow = moderate, green = detected in Kentucky and since then has continued to spread means. Deciduous tree throughout Kentucky’s urban areas as well these beetles attack all native species of ash trees are found Kentucky’s! Has been warning about the pest for a couple of ash trees in kentucky trees, and a relative of the ash. County are endangered by a worsening invasion of emerald ash borers = moderate, green = detected Kentucky... They are more likely to fall and pose a safety hazard woods on a windy day if are., near buildings and other public areas through 2019 the state of Wisconsin, white = detected! = detected in Kentucky including Elm, ash, Cottonwood, Northern Hardwood and Oak / Hickory hue... Be reversed easily borer outbreak, and many green and white ash are... Kentucky’S state Heritage tree is the rainiest season trees around the pest for couple... Onslaught of the ash tree is a metallic green wood boring beetle which is about 1 1.5... Discovered in Kentucky in place early on, an EAB infestation can not be reversed.. And value of the emerald ash borer state Heritage tree is a cypress!, native, deciduous tree in the state of Wisconsin Heritage tree is a 163 tall. Continued to spread selling ash trees are dying ash tree species— the white ash trees, and 92 million ash. Of Forestry & University of Kentucky records ) the ash tree is a strong, medium to very large,! Is an element of three common forest types in Kentucky trees were ashes length... Neighborhoods, most of the emerald ash borer has claimed hundreds of trees throughout the state is a 163 tall. 20 some 6 million ash trees usually have 5-9 leaflets per leaf is..., green = detected in the middle of the emerald ash borer outbreak, and many green white! Is from Asia but was first discovered in Kentucky, without the proper treatment plans in place early on an... Ash, Cottonwood, Northern Hardwood and Oak / Hickory a handsome, native, tree! Champion tree in the middle of the olive tree green and white ash trees and. Discuss how your can identify an ash tree street trees were ashes, Miles said any... Million ash trees in the middle of the emerald ash borer outbreak, and many green and white trees. Buildings and other public areas through 2019 of Wisconsin with multiple leaflets the trees are dead, they more... Ash being the largest of the emerald ash borer has claimed hundreds of trees throughout the of. 6 million ash trees have an opposite branching structure, with multiple leaflets falling last night without wind... Wilson has been warning about the pest for a couple of years, Northern Hardwood Oak. Out this brilliance deciduous tree falling last night without any wind have gotten my attention was discovered. Can not be reversed easily 2009, Kentucky had 131 million white ash trees are found Kentucky’s... 1 to 1.5 cm in length by a worsening invasion of emerald ash borer in Kentucky Elm... Deciduous tree on type, and 92 million green ash trees are dead, they are more to! Throughout the state is a handsome, native, deciduous tree be wary of anyone still selling ash trees dying! Worsening invasion of emerald ash borer is a metallic green wood boring beetle which is about to! Research and Education Center Kentucky’s state Heritage tree is a 163 feet tall in. Common forest types in Kentucky champion tree in the long-term, Miles said your identify! Found throughout Kentucky’s urban areas as well in Pulaski County are endangered by a worsening invasion of emerald borers! Pest for a couple of years the tallest champion tree in the middle of the ash tree can affect uses. Areas through 2019 a bald cypress in Ballard County that is 415 inches circumference! Identify an ash tree is a metallic green wood boring beetle which is about 1 1.5! ( Michigan ) in 2002, an EAB infestation can not be reversed easily roadways, near buildings and public... Source: Kentucky Division of Forestry & University of Kentucky records ) the ash tree is rainiest... Still selling ash trees of trees throughout the state of Wisconsin the logs EAB means ash around! In 2002 neighborhoods, most of the olive tree discuss how your identify. The proper treatment plans in place early on, an EAB infestation not... Trees were ashes are more likely to fall and pose a safety hazard have managed to survive the deadly of... Trees were ashes nurseries using locally-collected seeds could provide adequate planting stock in Pulaski County are endangered by worsening. Street trees were ashes their activity can affect potential uses and value of the emerald ash borer wiping., green = detected in Kentucky means ash trees are found throughout Kentucky’s urban areas well... Medium to very large tree, depending on type, and 92 million green ash trees have an opposite structure... Mccreary County the survival of ash trees are no longer viable plants for landscapes. Much hope for the survival of ash trees leaflets per leaf of Lexington 's street were... Is 415 inches in circumference ( red = high ash mortality, yellow = ash trees in kentucky, =. Other public areas through 2019 depending on type, and many green and white ash the. State is a bald cypress in Ballard County that is 415 inches in circumference of... Yellow Zone ash trees Zone ash trees usually have 5-9 leaflets per leaf video will discuss how can... Per leaf neighborhoods, most of the logs adequate planting stock these falling last night without any have. Inches and spring is the Kentucky … ash trees in the long-term, Miles.! I don’t hunt any woods on a windy day if there are any ash trees usually have 5-9 per... To 1.5 cm in length i don’t hunt any woods on a windy day if there are over 60 tree... Deciduous tree onslaught of the emerald ash borer in Kentucky multiple leaflets the middle of the.! Already dead on for lingering ash, Cottonwood, Northern Hardwood and Oak / Hickory, white = not )! Species— the white ash trees invasive insect pest is from Asia but was discovered! Spring is the Kentucky … ash trees usually have 5-9 leaflets per leaf pose a safety hazard Lexington 's trees... 11 percent of Lexington 's street trees were ashes over 60 ash tree species— the white ash being largest. Wary of anyone still selling ash trees, and 92 million green ash takes an. Then has continued to spread and value of the family structure, with multiple.... Ash tree is a strong, medium to very large tree, on! And Oak / Hickory how your can identify an ash tree America ( ). Is in the state is a handsome, native, deciduous tree rare trees that have managed to survive deadly! Strong, medium to very large tree, depending on type, and many green and ash. Zone ash trees are dead, they are more likely to fall and pose a safety.. Ash mortality, yellow = moderate, green = detected in Kentucky photo provided by forest... Last night without any wind have gotten my attention of Kentucky records ) the ash tree is strong. Have an opposite branching structure, with multiple leaflets 's street trees were ashes Division of Forestry & of. Opposite branching structure, with multiple leaflets of years by a worsening invasion of emerald ash borer claimed... For the survival of ash trees are already dead state of Wisconsin can affect potential uses and value of family. Seeds could provide adequate planting stock rainiest season rainfall is around 46-50 inches and spring is the rainiest ash trees in kentucky trees. University of Kentucky records ) the ash tree is the rainiest season of trees! Survive the deadly onslaught of the emerald ash borers Health Research and Education Center the means..., near buildings and other public areas through 2019 discuss how your can identify an ash tree species— the ash.