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Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumAsh tree set for extinction in Europe
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35876621Ash tree set for extinction in Europe
By Claire Marshall
BBC Environment Correspondent
7 hours ago
The ash tree is likely to be wiped out in Europe, according to the largest-ever survey of the species. The trees are being killed off by the fungal disease ash-dieback along with an invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer.
According to the research, published in the Journal of Ecology, the British countryside will never look the same again. The paper says that the ash will most likely be "eliminated" in Europe. This could mirror the way Dutch elm disease largely wiped out the elm in the 1980s.
(snip)
Ash dieback, also known as Chalara, is a disease that was first seen in Eastern Europe in 1992. It now affects more than 2 million sq km, from Scandinavia to Italy.
(snip)
The emerald ash borer is a bright green beetle that, like ash dieback, is native to Asia. It's not yet in the UK but is spreading west from Moscow at a rate of 25 miles (41 km) a year and is thought to have reached Sweden. The adult beetles feed on ash trees and cause little damage. However the larvae bore under the bark and in to the wood, killing the tree.
(snip)
This won't just change our landscape - it will have a severe impact on biodiversity. 1,000 species are associated with ash or ash woodland, including 12 types of bird, 55 mammals and 239 invertebrates.
Mr Thomas said, "Of these, over 100 species of lichens, fungi and insects are dependent upon the ash tree and are likely to decline or become extinct if the ash was gone. Some other trees such as alder, small-leaved lime and rowan can provide homes for some of these species... but if the ash went, the British countryside would never look the same again."
(snip)
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Ash tree set for extinction in Europe (Original Post)
nitpicker
Mar 2016
OP
Woodwizard
(844 posts)1. Its happening here in the US
The emerald ash borer is spreading fast on the northeast.
The Woolly Adelgid is decimating the Hemlocks. Asian pine beetle, the list goes on inevitable with global transportation.
madaboutharry
(40,211 posts)2. I have this huge Ash tree in my backyard
Starting a couple of years ago, I need to have a landscape company inject the tree with some special treatment. It costs over $250 and I need to do it every two years in order to protect the tree.
JonathanRackham
(1,604 posts)3. Ash trees near gone in East PA.
Loads of dead ones standing in the woods.
66 dmhlt
(1,941 posts)4. Had a 75'+ Ash taken down last summer ...
The arborist said it was not infected - just old and dying.
It started dropping some good-sized branches - and since it was only 10' from the house, I had it taken down.
Cost $2,100!!! They had to rent a bucket lift because they did not feel safe repelling because of the dying branches.