The emerald ash borer is lethal to a very popular tree in New York State, the ash tree. It was first discovered in the western part of the state, Cattaraugus County, in 2009.

“Unfortunately, last year we found a very large infestation in Ulster County and that infestation is also believed to be in Greene County too right up against the western shore of the Hudson River. That is where we see the front line of the emerald ash borer movement east so we're putting a lot effort this year into determining the exact location of this invasive species working with the United States Forest Service and several other state partners,” said Rob Davies, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Rob Davies with the State Department of Environmental Conservation joined with the State Society of American Foresters, the Wood Products Council, New York Ag and Markets and researchers to discuss the latest findings and strategies because the stakes are high.

“New York State has 18 million acres of forest which surprises many people but we actually have more forest land than the state of Maine. It is an incredible resource for New York State and to the extent that some of these invasive species wipe out part of that resource it's an economic loss in forest products, a loss for recreation plus our forests have a very strong role protecting our water resources,” said Neil Murphy, SUNY ESF President.

SUNY ESF President Neil Murphy says researchers are looking at ways to grow an ash tree that's resistant to the insect or a means to safely use an insecticide but at this point there's nothing to stop the emerald ash borer.

“What can we do to slow that spread, that's really where we're focusing right now. What management on the ground can we do, not chemicals, what on the ground management can we do to slow that spread,” said Davies.

About Going Green:

Going Green is produced in cooperation with the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Learn more about SUNY ESF by visiting their website, esf.edu.