H 78°, L 55° | Tomorrow: 
H 85°, L 67°Madison officials have begun to worry an invasive insect species could damage Madison’s high number of ash trees if it continues to encroach on southern Wisconsin.
The invasive emerald ash borer, originating from Asia, poses an extreme threat to ash trees in both public and private forests, a statement from the city’s Forestry Division said.
The plan said the nearest infestation is in Rock Cut State Park outside of Rockford, Ill.— only 64 miles from Madison.
The larvae are capable of whipping out a population of ash trees in one to two years by disrupting the tree’s internal transport mechanisms. The plan said humans moving infected wood have caused many infestations but the adult emerald ash borer may also fly to new populations.
The city plans to activate response plans on a local, state, and federal level if they encounter a pest problem.
The plan includes extensive removal of all infested trees as well as chemically treating all public ash trees.
The possibility of replacing lost terrace trees with other varieties could cost the city as much as $13 million over five years, the plan added .
“The trees are part of what makes the campus unique in the sense that it’s so closely tied to nature,” said Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8. “An outbreak would be detrimental to the naturesque personality of campus.”
Despite the necessity of such measures should an infestation occur, the plan said there are potential negative consequences of eliminating the Ash Borer. Planners say they do not yet know the project’s total cost.
The plan also said ecological effects of pesticide application over an extensive area are not yet known.
“It’s safe to say that priority will be placed on our very special park lands, including those close to campus,” said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. “However, UW will be working to try to prevent the emerald ash borer rat Picnic Point and along the Lakeshore Path.”
Verveer also explained that a particular risk of an infestation exists in Madison because of the relatively high percentage of ash trees on both public and private property, though the city has since stopped planting the tree.
The city’s plan also mandates upcoming neighborhood meetings as part of the efforts for outreach and education of the community.
The forestry department has also sponsored an emerald ash borer awareness week and also has distributed identification cards to mobilize residents in active surveillance.
The Wisconsin DNR is also launching an education campaign aimed at stopping the transportation of firewood, a major cause of new infestations.
“As far as considering our options, the extent to which we use chemicals will be a big decision down the road,” Verveer said. “There are health concerns that need to be addressed.”
Open neighborhood meetings to allow residents the opportunity to weigh in on the best solution will be held Oct. 21 at the Central Library and Nov. 3 at the Lussier Community Center.
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WI has exhibited some of the best state-level planning in the midwest, in prep for EAB.
However, beware of certain unfounded marketing claims which insinuate ecological risk from using competing products. The products being bad-mouthed are the neonicotinoides which have been widely tested against EAB. Both neonics have undergone independent review, commissioned by the USFS, for use against Hemlock Wooly Adelgid in the Appalachians — quite often adjacent to streams. No significant risk to aquatic ecosystems was found.
There is NO doubt that loss of ash ranging from public rights of way to riparian zones WILL have detrimental effects on surface water volumes and quality.
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let’s dump a bucket of these insects in Bascom Hall a feast of dead wood awaits