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Entomologist warns emerald ash borer could devastate Sweet Home’s ash trees; committee told to inventory and educate
Summary
At its Nov. 19 meeting the Sweet Home Park and Tree Committee heard from entomologist Rich Little, who said the emerald ash borer could kill most local ash trees and urged an inventory, prioritized protection and a public education campaign to limit spread via firewood.
Rich Little, a local entomologist and former county plant‑health official, told the Sweet Home Park and Tree Committee on Nov. 19 that the emerald ash borer is likely to be ‘‘the most devastating introduction of a forest pest in this country’’ and urged immediate local planning to limit losses.
"I have no good news for you," Little said. He cited eastern U.S. experience and regional detections near Marion County and said the insect can decimate ash populations. "If you take about 95% of all the ash trees that we have right now and yank them out, that's what it's gonna look like," he told the committee.
Little…
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