So, a lot of #AshTrees in #PortlandME have been taken down because of #EmeraldAshBorer . I came across a young #GreenAsh tree that seems to be healthy. I'm hoping it stays that way...

#EmeraldAshBorerAwarenessWeek #EAB #SaveTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #MaineTrees #Maine #SolarPunkSunday

#Maine - This is #EmeraldAshBorer Awareness Week

"The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service is asking residents, landowners, and municipalities to help slow the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer (#EAB), a destructive insect responsible for killing millions of ash trees across North America.

As the emerald ash borer continues to threaten Maine’s forests and communities, the Maine Forest Service encourages the public to learn how to identify #AshTrees and signs of infestation, participate in monitoring efforts, and help prevent the spread of invasive pests.

Here are five ways to help slow EAB:

White vs brown Ash

Learn how to identify ash trees
May is a great time to identify ash trees. While all the other hardwood trees are leafing out, Maine's ash trees still look like sticks in the sky. For white and green ash, look for opposite branching and small, ridged bark arranged in a diamond pattern. Brown ash bark (also known as black ash) is characteristically gray to dark gray, with a spongy, corky texture.

Ash Blonding

Learn how to identify signs of emerald ash borer

Now that you know what an ash tree looks like, look for signs of emerald ash borer in the trees. You may spot "blonding" on ash trees, the shallow flecking of the bark by woodpeckers going after EAB larvae and pupae. If you think you see "blonding," take some good quality photos, note your location, and report your findings on the EAB Report Form.

Learn how to identify emerald ash borer
Chances are, you won't see EAB adults in May, but come June, you may see some as they start to emerge from ash trees. If you think you see an EAB, try to capture it or take a photo and report your findings on the EAB Report Form.

Create a girdled ash tree to monitor for emerald ash borer

Your tree can be part of the EAB monitoring network. Knowing the whereabouts of EAB helps the DACF and others make good management decisions about ash.

Leave your firewood at home and prevent the spread of invasive pests
Planning a camping trip? Learn about Maine’s firewood laws, and get your firewood at the campground or go to FirewoodScout.org to find other local sources.

For more information about emerald ash borer, identification resources, and reporting tools, visit the Maine Forest Service Emerald Ash Borer page."

Maine DACF Emerald Ash Borer Page:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/eab/index.shtml

Source:
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MEDACF-4183cfe?wgt_ref=MEDACF_WIDGET_161

#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #NatureConservation #ProtectTheSacred #AshTrees

May 17–23 is #EmeraldAshBorer Awareness Week: Here’s What You Need to Know

By Ginger Nickerson, May 20, 2026

"The emerald ash borer (#EAB) has been in #Vermont since 2018, when it was first found in northern Orange County. Since then, it has spread to every county except Essex County and is in 145 of Vermont’s 247 municipalities.

"The EAB is a beetle introduced from Asia that attacks all native ash trees (trees in the Fraxinus genus). If trees are not treated, this insect is expected to kill nearly 99% of Vermont’s ash trees.

"To raise awareness about this pest and the damage it causes, May 17–23 has been named National Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry program is helping by sharing and encouraging people to get involved. Vermonters can learn about the pest, host a neighborhood tree-tagging event, or share information on social media.

"An online Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week toolkit is available on the Vermont Invasives website: go.uvm.edu/invasivesorg-toolkit. It includes posters, videos, sample social media posts, and resources for educators. It also has guides for identifying ash trees and tips for leading tree walks or ash tagging events."

FMI:
https://thebridgevt.org/2026/05/may-17-23-is-emerald-ash-borer-awareness-week-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #AshTrees

#ShermanME - #EmeraldAshBorer Information Session

Wednesday, May 13, 4pm - 5pm

Sherman Recreation Center
30 School St
Sherman, Maine

"Join us to learn about the recent discovery of the emerald ash borer (#EAB) in #Benedicta and what it means for our forests, communities, and ash trees."

Topics include:
- EAB and look-a-likes
- Signs and symptoms of infestation
- Quarantine
- Firewood
- Ongoing monitoring

This session is free and open to the public. All are welcome!"

FMI [includes updates on EAB in #Maine]:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDACF/bulletins/4161213

#SolarPunkSunday #AshTrees #ProtectTheTrees #MaineTrees #InvasiveSpecies #SaveTheForests

Very sad to see that a bunch of the #WhiteAsh trees near USM #PortlandME are infested with #EmeraldAshBorer . One tree is unscathed. I hope the USM Arborist has treated it (I'll have to find out).

#AshTrees #EAB

#BathME + #Online - #ClimateConversations: Protecting Bath's #UrbanForest From the Impacts of #EmeraldAshBorer

"Bath's stately ash trees are an important part of our urban forest, but they are under dire threat. The emerald ash borer, an exotic pest that rapidly kills native ash trees, has reached Bath after ravaging forests across the northeast. Members of the Bath Community Forestry Committee will explain the biology of emerald ash borer and how they lead to tree mortality, treatment options, and resources the city is employing to protect ash trees. Participants will also learn how the Maine Forest Service is combating the emerald ash borer with the help of predator insects.

Bath Climate Conversations is a continuing series focused on learning, discussing, and connecting around ways to sustain and support our vibrant town as climate change occurs. Hosted by Bath #ClimateAction Commission in partnership with #KennebecEstuaryLandTrust and the #PattenFreeLibrary and presented in person and/or on Zoom. Registration is required for Zoom only."

Date:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time:
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Time Zone:
Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Location:
Community Room
Online:
This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.

To register:
https://patten-lib.libcal.com/event/16472472

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChange #EAB #AshTres #SaveOurTrees

#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