Port Jervis students present field-study findings on emerald ash borer, urge targeted removals and monitoring

Students in Port Jervis High School’s ESF field-studies course presented findings on the emerald ash borer infestation and recommended management steps at the board meeting on Aug. 19.

The student presenters said their team surveyed more than 700 trees and detected a rise in mortality compared with the prior year. "We had a little over 8% increase in tree mortality rate compared to last year," said Thomas Caputo, who identified himself as a senior and described field protocols used in the course. The students used indicators such as "D holes" (small D-shaped exit holes), woodpecker damage and a canopy-rating scale; they reported many trees at canopy level 5, a designation they said indicates little or no canopy and that the tree is effectively dead.

Why it matters: Ash trees weakened and killed by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) become hazards and can serve as reservoirs…