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The Rural Voice, 2003-12, Page 64BARKMAN FORESTRY SERVICES • Buyers of standing timber • Tree marking and woodlot management Firewood. large or small amounts. Log length or split. 519-229-8685 BERNIE McGLYNN LUMBER LTD. BUYER OF HARDWOOD BUSHLOTS Wholesaler - Hardwood Lumber Box 385, R R 2, Wmgham, Ont. NOG 2W0 BERNIE McGLYNN Ph/Fax (519) 357-1430 1l SAWMILL R R. #5, Mildmay, Ont. (519) 367.5789 st 64 64 Warren D. Moore Forest Specialist specializing !n: * Woodlot Management * Timber Marking and Marketing * Tree Pruning, Tree Removal * Tree Planting Services Certified Managed Forest Plan Approver* Provincial Tree Marker V Blyth523-9855 /. v. • Woodlot management 1't Choice Forestry Consulting • • planning �' q Tree Marking and Advertising Experienced in theory as well as practical Provincially Certified Tree Marker Paisley (519) 353-7185 UI�HIft °�3�icti 60 THE RURAL VOICE Woodlot Management We're being invaded Steve Bowers is a forester and forest owner, a member of the Huron - Perth Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association and Stewardship Co-ordinator with the Huron Stewardship Council. Two "Alien Invaders" recently discovered in southern Ontario are causing significant concern for foresters and woodlot owners. The Emerald Ash Borer has attacked trees in Windsor and adjacent forests in Essex County. Another insect, the Asian Long -Horned Beetle, was discovered in north central Toronto in September of this year. Both these beetles are from Asia and in their larval stages bore inside hardwood trees potentially causing mortality of otherwise healthy trees. Both were likely introduced in wooden packing material for machinery imported from Asia. As its name suggests, the Emerald Ash borer is primarily a pest of ash trees. Signs of infestation are thinning of foliage and eventual tree mortality, as well as one -eighth -inch wide "D" shaped exit holes in the bark through which adult beetles have emerged. The adult beetles are present from mid-May to early August and are metallic green in colour, a half-inch long and a sixteenth of an inch wide. Recent ash mortality throughout southern Ontario resulting from drought conditions over the past couple of years has made many landowners wonder if their trees are infested by Emerald Ash Borer. To date, the only confirmed Ontario infestations are in Essex and Kent Counties. The Asian Long -Horned Beetle, recently discovered in Toronto, attacks both hard and soft maple as well as a number of other hardwood species. The adult beetle is one to one and a quarter inches long with antennae that are two inches long.. It creates circular exit holes approximately one half inch in diameter in infested trees. The beetle is black with white spots and the antennae are black and white. A single beetle was also discovered in Waterloo several years ago, but to date no infestation has been found in that area. Adult beetles of both species can fly (Emerald Ash Borer adults can fly at least three miles) however transporting infected logs or firewood has significant potential to increase their rate of spread. It is unlawful to transport any insects or infected wood material out of infested areas. Potential impacts of these pests are significant from both economic and ecological perspectives. Ash and maple are two of the primary groups of forest species present in woodlots in southern Ontario and form a major portion of production of local saw:nills. They are also commonly planted in urban areas. Ironically, ash has often been used to replace elm trees lost to Dutch Elm Disease. At present there is no control for either of these pests except removal and destruction of infested trees which is being undertaken by appropriate authorities for both infestations. Also, as Essex County has very little forest cover there has been discussion of creating a "firebreak", or a zone free of ash trees to halt further spread of the ash borer. Past introductions of alien insect pests have typically resulted in outbreaks along the leading edge of the infestation. Through time populations often collapse as their natural parasites, diseases and pests catch up to them and native species learn to prey on them. Only time will tell if control measures are successful or, if not, what impact these pests will have on our forests. In the meantime woodlot owners should monitor their woodlots, and report any insects or symptoms that