tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post4896773147266502503..comments2024-03-26T03:46:04.937-07:00Comments on Books in Northport: The Future: Gene Logsdon Is OptimisticP. J. Grathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-28689972911504508282013-04-29T08:05:29.153-07:002013-04-29T08:05:29.153-07:00A biologist friend tells me that only a few years ...A biologist friend tells me that only a few years ago – did he give 2002 as the date? Sometime since the start of the new century, anyway, and 2002 seems to mark its first appearance in the U.S. – there was only one research article available on the emerald ash borer, something written by a graduate student in, I believe, China. That’s how quickly this insect has spread around the world in just a few years. The thought that it might diversify its menu is frightening, Alan. And yes, introduction of further exotic species to control has backfired seriously in other cases.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-62716318189299943372013-04-29T05:17:27.997-07:002013-04-29T05:17:27.997-07:00Pamela, I certainly hope that optimism is justifie...Pamela, I certainly hope that optimism is justified. The worrisome caveat is that the emerald ash borer may not be species specific. While they do prefer ash trees, there is some evidence that they will survive by infesting walnut, American elm, and hackberry trees. If that's true, these other hosts could keep them alive long enough to wipe out the Ashes. I have read that there are a few species of Asian wasps that feed only on the eggs and larva of the emerald ash borer. I don't know if anyone is systematically introducing them or not. I'm always wary of introducing new invasives, but there's a lot at stake either way.Alan Mattlagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002254538342389502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-17043921912409157442013-04-28T12:56:54.760-07:002013-04-28T12:56:54.760-07:00Kathy, if you didn't click on the link to my p...Kathy, if you didn't click on the link to my post from last October, you might want to take a look at it. Fall colors of ash come in a rich variety. Some trees seem mostly one color, others mostly another, while a few display a range. They are not as showy as maples or tamarack, but once I started noticing them I couldn't stop. Well, maybe the borer will stop me for a while. No, I'll keep looking for the saplings--.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-46811286683267765462013-04-28T09:37:31.459-07:002013-04-28T09:37:31.459-07:00Pamela, you have me wondering about ash trees--and...Pamela, you have me wondering about ash trees--and what I've missed seeing when looking at them. Subtle, varied, yummy colors of ash leaves? We don't have too many ash in our woods, but perhaps I should have sat down beside this tree and truly looked--as you apparently have done. The emerald ash borer has been spotted here, too. Alas...Kathyhttp://upwoods.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-75223847217199292062013-04-27T15:57:22.905-07:002013-04-27T15:57:22.905-07:00Good, we will agree to be optimistic about ash tre...Good, we will agree to be optimistic about ash trees in the future! And maybe next year I will post about trees on Arbor Day, rather than a day late.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-61498209037347998262013-04-27T11:40:18.769-07:002013-04-27T11:40:18.769-07:00I have hope too. Along my suburban walks at lunch...I have hope too. Along my suburban walks at lunch I saw many many large ash trees die over the past 5 years or so. But last fall I saw the young ones and they were beautiful. I think perhaps they are stronger than we thought. Also, I know that the Extension office was saving seeds from the trees several years ago when all this began in the hopes that once we figured out how to get rid of the borer we could plant again.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824027366993286152noreply@blogger.com