These grants will support efforts to prepare for and manage the impacts of emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB is a destructive and invasive forest pest that feeds on all species of ash trees, killing over 99% within four years of infestation. The state's forested land is made up of about 5% ash, yet up to 50% of downtown trees in Vermont are ash. All said, Vermont is home to an estimated 160 million ash trees. EAB is now confirmed in Orange, Washington, Caledonia, Grand Isle, and Bennington Counties. Communities statewide are encouraged to prepare to manage the decline of ash trees and the future of an urban tree canopy without ash.
USDA APHIS is proposing to end the federal emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine. As indicated in the announcement below, USDA is taking comments on the proposed “deregulation”.
European spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus) is a member of the spindle tree family (Celastraceae), which includes species that are also invasive to North America like burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). Species within the spindle tree family are woody shrubs or woody vines, all which have brightly colored flesh (arils) around the seeds ranging from reds to oranges. These fruits appear on the European spindle tree in the late summer and early fall.
In mid-summer, Vermont starts to see a wave of yellow flowers bloom along roads, fields, meadows, and trails. This plant is called Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and is similar in appearance to Queen Ann’s Lace (Daucus carota). Wild Parsnip is a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae), and is currently considered taxonomically indistinct from the common garden parsnip.
Officials say the invasive pest the emerald ash borer has been found in the southern Vermont town of Stamford. The location is within five miles of a location in North Adams, Massachusetts, where the insect was also recently discovered.
Many invasive plants in Vermont start blooming in May. Keep an eye out for one obvious bloomer this time of year, Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris), or also commonly called “cow parsley”. This invasive plant can be seen alongside roads, and is notable in our rolling Vermont fields. This is a biennial herbaceous plant within the carrot family, Apiaceae. In Vermont, there are two introduced Anthriscus species documented outside of cultivation, and include Wild Chervil and its close relative, Garden Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium). The name, Chervil, comes perhaps from Latin and Greek roots, collectively meaning “leaf to enjoy”.
The floodplain forest in Richmond rang out with the excitement and hard work of 50 5th graders. In teams, the students worked to remove a non-native invasive plant—honeysuckle. Their ranks were led by community volunteer, Jon Kart, and the team members of VT Forests, Parks & Recreation’s Invasive Plants Program (VTIPP).
The invasive tree-killer that’s alarming Vermont forestry officials could cost the town of Hartford alone hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to early projections by Tree Warden Brad Goedkoop.
There are at least 50 species of non-native insects established in the state, including the Emerald Ash Borer, which has devastated the local ash tree population. Poised to join this list is another wood-boring bug, which could have a similar impact on more of New Hampshire’s trees: the Southern Pine Beetle.
After years trying to stop the spread across state lines of an invasive beetle that destroys trees, the federal government looks about ready to give up.
The Department of Agriculture will soon propose abandoning an emerald ash borer quarantine that restricts the movement of firewood and items from ash trees, putting new emphasis on biological controls and other approaches that don't require federal regulations and, the agency said, may be more effective.
The emerald ash borer, which is responsible for the death of millions of ash trees around the country has now been discovered in Barre, Groton, and Plainfield. It was first detected in Orange. The news has many public and industry officials around the state preparing for what's to come.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Foods & Markets report that emerald ash borer (EAB), a destructive forest insect from Asia, has been detected in Vermont. Officials with the USDA Animal & Plant Health and Inspection Service have confirmed the identification of a beetle recently found in northern Orange County, Vermont. The insect was reported through the vtinvasives.org website.
In a state where agriculture and forestry are important industries, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is not a welcomed guest. First discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014, the colorful invasive from China poses a threat to timber, viticulture, fruit and nursery businesses. By the end of 2017, nearly 3,000 square miles of the state have been affected.
This is part three (final) in a three-part series on how to create an invasive plant management plan. This section will guide you through assessing and mapping options for everyday landowners.
