Emerald Ash Borer Awareness

The park has completed an Environmental Assessment of replacing the single species planting of Rosehill ash with a compatible new species, in response to the potential threat from the Emerald Ash Borer.

WHAT IS THE EMERALD ASH BORER?

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a small and very destructive metallic green beetle. It only infests trees of the ash species and infested trees will die.

 

EAB infestation

David Cappaert, Michigan State University, USA

This insect orginally from China probably arrived in North America hidden in wooden packing material used to ship consumer goods. It's not known exactly when EAB arrived at it's "ground zero" in Detroit. It may have gone undetected for twelve years. In 2002, EAB was officially identified. Since then it has destroyed hundreds of millions of ash trees in over twelve states and two Canadian provinces.

 

The Gateway Arch grounds has approxiamately 900 "Rosehill" ash trees that line primary walkways.

EAB is not in St. Louis, but it has been located in Wayne county, Missouri, approximately 150 miles south of St. Louis.

 

Woodpecker

David Cappaert, Michigan State University, USA

ONLY NATURAL ENEMY:

Downy and Hairy woodpeckers are the only known predator of the emerald ash borer beetle, often removing more than half of larvae from excavations in bark and sapwood.

 

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Evidence of EAB