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Ewing, NJ 08628
The Ash trees in Ewing have been invaded by an invasive Asian Beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which attacks and kills our native ash trees. “The emerald ash borer will kill 99 percent of all ash trees within the next few years,” said Bill Brash, the NJ State Certified Tree Expert with whom the Township has been working on the EAB threat to the municipal tree canopy. “All Ash trees should be considered at high risk. This will not only cause potential devastation to our tree canopy but also create hazards on your property. The branches of dead Ash trees are particularly brittle and have high potential to fall and hit people, structures, or cars.”
Eradication is not feasible. The pest has killed millions of Ash trees since it was accidentally discovered in Michigan in 2002 and its spread (to over 25 states) has been extremely rapid. It was first discovered in NJ in 2015. As this invasive pest can easily spread to neighboring trees, all residents should identify Ash trees on their property and monitor for signs of damage or decline.
Early detection is difficult as the exit holes are tiny and the infestation starts from the crown of the tree. However, since trees only live an average of 3 -4 years after infestation, it is important that you contact a qualified arborist as soon as possible to determine if the tree can be saved.
More than 890 trees have been identified on municipal lands in a 2015 Rutgers Study. (link) Following receipt of the study, the Township applied for a grant in early 2016, Partnering for the Restoration of the Community Forest: The 3P Plan, Partnerships-Plan-Planting to support development of partnerships to manage this threat to our tree canopy.
Members of Ewing’s Green Team and Environmental Commission have been working under the direction of NJ State Certified Tree Expert Bill Brash to administer the grant. They have formed a partnership called the Ewing EAB Partnership with representatives from Mercer County, Rutgers University and PSE&G to further identify ownership and manage the spread and removals of trees infected with the Emerald Ash Borer on Ewing municipal lands.