Protecting Williston Park’s Urban Forest: A Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying Emerald Ash Borer and Other Tree-Threatening Invasive Species

As a homeowner in Williston Park, NY, your property’s trees represent a significant investment in both beauty and value. However, emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees and has cost billions of dollars in damage and loss across New York State since its introduction. Understanding how to identify this destructive pest, along with other invasive species threatening Long Island’s urban forest, is crucial for protecting your landscape investment.

Understanding the Emerald Ash Borer Threat

The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) is a wood-boring beetle from Asia that feeds on all native ash trees (Fraxinus sp.) in New York State. Despite the beetle’s small size, it is incredibly destructive to ash trees, of which there are over 900 million in New York State. The adult beetles are distinctive, measuring roughly 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch long, with metallic-green wing covers and coppery red or purple abdomens.

Homeowners should watch for several key warning signs of EAB infestation. Adult beetles leave a distinctive exit hole shape in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk – a hollowed out “D” shape. Additionally, EAB larvae also leave “s” shaped feeding tunnels underneath the bark of ash trees. Most ash trees infested with emerald ash borers die within 2 to 4 years, and since its discovery in 2002, EABs have been responsible for the destruction of hundreds of millions of ash trees in the U.S.

Other Invasive Species Threatening Williston Park Trees

While EAB garners significant attention, Long Island faces threats from numerous other invasive species. Long Island’s invasive trees and shrubs include the ubiquitous tree-of-heaven, Japanese angelica, Norway maple, and sycamore maple, plus some newcomers such as glossy buckthorn and Callery pear, as well as thorny multiflora rose and autumn olive shrubs.

Southern pine beetle (SPB) is a bark beetle that infests pine trees. The beetle is small, only 2-4 mm in length (about the size of a grain of rice) and is red-brown to black in color. This insect is native to the southeastern United States but has been expanding its range up the east coast in recent years. Warming of extreme winter temperatures has most likely contributed to this expansion. In New York, Pitch Pines (Long Island native) have been targeted more than any other species. Southern Pine Beetle has the potential to quickly spread throughout Long Island without proper management.

Conducting Your Own Neighborhood Tree Health Assessment

Regular tree health assessments are essential for early detection of invasive species and other threats. Proper monitoring and identification of tree health issues can help you retain trees on your property, and prevent irreversible damage to the health of your trees. By addressing tree health issues before they get out of control, you’ll be able to maintain a healthy landscape and provide immeasurable value to people and your property.

When conducting your assessment, start with proper tree identification. Start with tree identification. Research what a normal tree of that species looks like. What are the common insect and disease pests for the species, and what do their signs and symptoms look like? Focus on key indicators such as leaf yellowing and wilting, often affecting one side of the crown; branch dieback that progresses from the tips inward; epicormic shoots emerging from the trunk base as a stress response.

Remember that successful tree healthcare follows the same principle as human medicine – early detection leads to more effective treatment. Make regular tree inspections part of your landscape maintenance routine, particularly during spring and early summer when many diseases first become evident.

When to Call Professional Tree Removal Services

While homeowners can perform basic assessments, certain situations require professional intervention. If you confirm your tree is infested with EAB, you do not have to take it down unless the tree could pose a hazard by falling (check for nearby structures, roads, etc.). However, severely compromised trees often require removal to prevent property damage and ensure safety.

For residents seeking professional assistance, a qualified tree service williston park can provide expert assessment and removal services when necessary. Professional arborists have the training and equipment to safely remove large trees that pose risks to homes, power lines, or neighboring properties.

Prevention and Management Strategies

Prevention remains the most effective strategy against invasive species. Do not move firewood. Follow the New York State Firewood Regulation and purchase or cut firewood from the same general location where you plan to use it. When camping or at a cabin, do not take any leftover firewood home with you. Once EABs infest ash wood they are often transported and spread over long distances by humans. This has resulted in further Quarantine Regulations on top of New York’s Firewood Regulations that limit where and how far firewood can be transported.

In general, having a diversity of species in your yard, on your street, or in your community is your best defense against all tree health problems. If ash comprises 10 percent or more of the tree species in your local area, it would be best to choose an alternative.

Homeowners who suspect invasive species activity should report their findings immediately. Homeowners who see signs of infestation on their property should report them immediately to DEC’s EAB and Firewood hotline at 1-866-640-0652.

Protecting Your Investment

Your trees represent a significant investment in your property’s value and environmental health. By staying vigilant for signs of emerald ash borer and other invasive species, conducting regular health assessments, and working with qualified professionals when necessary, you can help protect Williston Park’s urban forest for future generations. Early detection and prompt action remain your best tools in the fight against these destructive invasive species.