THE LEAFLET

July 20, 2015 /

Emerald Ash Borer destruction at Gallaudet University

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is destroying trees. Look no further than the campus of Gallaudet University, a lush oasis not far from Casey Trees’ headquarters in Northeast D.C., where 12 trees were removed this weekend due to EAB blight. This is not an insignificant event. EAB is ravaging ash trees across the eastern U.S., and the removal of these 12 trees will result in a significant canopy reduction on Gallaudet’s campus.

EAB’s damage is due to the pest’s larvae, which bore under a tree’s bark and cut off its nutrient pathways, slowly starving and killing the tree.

With help from the Gallaudet community and other volunteers, Casey Trees will plant replacement trees on the campus this fall, but it will take decades for the newly planted trees to eclipse the shade the removed trees provided.

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This is Part 1 in a series exploring the destruction to an urban tree canopy invasive pests can cause as seen through the EAB that has devastated Gallaudet’s campus. Follow along over the next few months as we look into the impacts EAB is having on the aesthetics, health, and culture of the campus and what you can do to prevent the spread of invasives.