#Maine - #EmeraldAshBorer - Watch for #Woodpecker Activity

#MDACF - February 26, 2026

"Emerald ash borer (#AgrilusPlanipennis) has been detected in new towns in Maine. Watch for woodpecker activity and report trees that have signs of emerald ash borer.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills native ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), resulting in significant cultural, ecological, and economic impacts.

In winter, woodpeckers knock off tree bark in search for food (including EAB larvae), which may help us identify trees with EAB from a distance:

- Light patches of missing bark on stems of ash trees
- Dark chips of ash bark littering the snow
- "S" shaped tunnels underneath the ash bark

Check for these signs while on a snowshoe track, swooshing down slopes, or even sitting down for a meal at your local Chinese restaurant (it happened!). We are actively monitoring for EAB statewide and could use your help checking ash trees.

Stay Informed

Although EAB has caused destruction of ash ecosystems across North America, including here in Maine, there is hope for these trees. In our area, groups like Ash Protection Collaboration Across #Wabanakik (#APCAW) and Sustaining Ash Partners Network (#SAPNe) are building collaborative efforts towards keeping ash in our forests. Join SAP-Ne to learn how to preserve and propagate ash seed and about efforts towards maintaining the genetic diversity of ash in our region."

Learn more:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343928

#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #Forestry #Stewardship #CitizenScience #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek #NewEngland #ProtectTheSacred
#MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry

So, one of the topics I'll be covering for this week's #SolarPunkSunday is #InvasiveInsects. #MDACF has been posting some really good information about a variety of pests, and offers natural solutions for some of them. Topics include #JumpingWorms, #EmeraldAshBorer, #HemlockWoollyAdelgid, #BoxTreeMoth and #SpottedLanternflies.

#InvasiveSpeciesAwareness #InvasiveSpeciesWeek #InvasiveSpecies #AshTrees #BoxElders #SaveTheForests #ProtectTheTrees #SolarPunkSunday #Biocontrol #HemlockTrees #MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry

So, I missed the #EAB update from #MaineDACF, but since I registered for the event, I was sent the link to the video update. One thing I learned is that #Woodpeckers are #EmeraldAshBorer's natural enemy. But once EAB sets in, it's too much for the woodpeckers to handle. But if it's an early infestation, they *might* be able to control it! Just another reason to #GardenForBirds and #FeedTheBirds in the winter (and my woodpecker friends LOVE the wormy suet I make for them).

Here's a screenshot from the presentation. Also, the term "blonding" mentioned in the image refers to the process of older gray bark falling off an ash tree that has an EAB infestation, leaving behind lighter-colored newer bark.

The full video can be viewed at this link (includes transcript):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ogbMReBx38

#InvasiveSpecies #AshTrees
#SaveTheForests #ProtectTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #Stewardship #Wabanaki #Basketry #SolarPunkSunday #Biocontrol #MaineTrees #MaineForestryService #MDIFW

[Virtual event] #EmeraldAshBorer and Other #TreeHealth Concerns

#DACF Update for #Maine Cities and Towns 

Monday, February 9, 2026, 10:30 AM-Noon 

"The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will provide updates for city and town tree and forest managers and public works staff on the known status of several invasive insect species in Maine. Our speakers will cover topics such as monitoring, life cycles, extent of known locations, and management through #biocontrol. Join us and brush up on your invasive species knowledge in time for #InvasiveSpecies Awareness week- we hope to see you there!"

FMI:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDACF/bulletins/40539ea

To register:
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/8e05b397-503b-4f42-baac-8ede004ec9ae@413fa8ab-207d-4b62-9bcd-ea1a8f2f864e/registration

#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #Forestry #Trees #AshTrees #BrowntailMoth #WinterMoth #RedPineScale #HemlockWoolyAdelgid #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek #MaineDACF #MaineForests

Enze Li et al. assessed the potential threat of #EmeraldAshBorer against global #AshTree species (Fraxinus) under multiple future climate scenarios based on the premise of niche conservatism.

#ClimateChange | #SpeciesDistributionModeling | #SpeciesInvasion

https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtaf091

Home Tree 2025 – Vimeo

We had to accept the arborists’ decision by our HOA, to remove a damaged and dying ash tree. It was sad, enjoyed since 2016 when we moved in here. A short video tribute, some old shots, some images, video and fair use of brief music clip (Paul McCartney).

The ash tree was destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer, see more here, a lots of trees in danger of this beetle. See more here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/eab and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1biFq0fKbKo

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Home Tree 2025 on Vimeo

#2025 #America #AshBeetle #AshTree #AsianTree #Books #Education #EmeraldAshBorer #Health #HOA #LasVegas #Libraries #Library #Memories #Science #UnitedStates #Video #Vimeo

🔎 The threat of #InvasiveSpecies in the context of global warming

Sample:
1️⃣ Agrilus planipennis
2️⃣ Fraxinus species

Results:
Global warming ➡️ Suitable habitats and niches⬆️ ➡️ Threat of biological invasions⬆️

#AshTrees | #ClimateChange | #EmeraldAshBorer | #SpeciesDistributionModeling

https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtaf091

So, it looks like #MDOT hired someone to take down the two #GreenAsh trees down the road from us (that were infested with #EmeraldAshBorer ). Whoever took them down knew what they were doing. Nothing but a bit of the stumps left. As for the ash trees down the road the other way? I think they belong to the neighbors who have been having domestic issues lately.

#EAB #MaineTrees #SaveTheAshTrees

#EmeraldAshBorer and Other #TreeHealth Concerns
#Maine #DACF Update for Cities and Towns

September 11, 2025
#MaineForestService

"On September 11, 2025, The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the City of Belfast hosted a workshop to update city and town tree and forest managers and public works staff along with interested community members on the known status of emerald ash borer in Maine, local and state management efforts, municipal support opportunities, as well as a Q&A session."

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXFuktJRzSM

#SaveTheForests #SaveTheAshTrees #Basketry #ProtectTheSacred #ProtectTheForest #AshTrees #MaineForests #MaineDepartmentOfAgriculture #MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry

#Mainers! Here's your chance to help fight #EmeraldAshBorer!

#MaineForestryService - Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Update

September 22, 2025

"Since 2019, MFS has been releasing parasitoid wasps for the long-term management of emerald ash borer (#EAB) in the forests of Maine. These are tiny, non-stinging members of the order Hymenoptera, and they specialize in EAB. In most cases, they will not keep the mature trees already in the forest alive, but there is evidence from other states that have had EAB longer than we have that these #wasps provide protection to the seedlings and saplings as they grow. We are attempting to release them in as many areas with EAB as possible so that they can eventually spread throughout the state, allowing ash to remain in #Maine’s forests.

"As of 2025, we have released these #parasitoids in 20 sites throughout the range of EAB. Of the ten sites that are at the stage where we can start monitoring for their establishment, we have recovered one or both of Spathius or Tetrastichus at five of them: four in #YorkCounty and one in northern #Aroostook. We are still years away from actual control of EAB, but it is encouraging to start recovering parasitoids.

"With the many new detections of EAB in Maine in recent years, we would like to establish new biological control release sites. The ash-dominated forests that serve as release sites can be public or privately owned. Many of our cooperators are private woodlot owners. Ideally, we would like to ship biological control directly to a local landowner or manager and have them conduct releases after training by MFS. The releases take 5-15 minutes, 4-6 times a summer for two summers. We are looking for new release sites in areas where EAB has recently become established. Specifically, we would like to find sites in or near #BarHarborME, #SolonME, #BelfastME, the #BathME / #BrunswickME area, #CoastalMaine south of #PortlandME, and #WesternMaine west of #LewistonME. If you have forested land in one of these areas and are potentially interested in having it become a biological release site, please review the guidelines and information about EAB biocontrol available on-line, and email foresthealth @ maine . gov (no spaces) with the town in which your ash stand is, the approximate acreage of ash, and the coordinates (approximate is fine) of the stand. If it looks like your land would be suitable for a biological control site, we will reach out to you."

Source:
Emailed newsletter

Link to guidelines (PDF):
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/eab/documents/meeting-082020/Emerald%20Ash%20Borer%20Biocontrol%20Info%20For%20Potential%20Cooperators.pdf

#InvasiveSpecies #AshTrees #SaveTheForests #ProtectTheSacred #Wabanaki #Basketry #SolarPunkSunday #Biocontrol