The forests of Kentucky are a diverse and beautiful ecosystem, dominated by two main forest types: oak/hickory and oak/pine. Even though hardwood species dominate in the state, (including walnut, oak, maple, cherry, hickory and yellow-poplar), there are considerably large areas of natural and commercial pine forests across the state. Common pine species include Virginia, pitch, loblolly and eastern white pine.
The Kentucky Division of Forestry's forest health program focuses on identifying and monitoring for potential insect, disease, invasive and exotic plant problems that threaten our forestlands.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update:
As of October 2009, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been confirmed in the following counties: Campbell, Fayette, Franklin, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Oldham, Owen and Shelby. The discoveries resulted from Kentucky Division of Forestry and University of Kentucky officials who investigated several dying ash trees in a private woodlot in Shelby County and a residential landscape in Jessamine County.
EAB, an invasive insect native to Asia, was discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002 and has since destroyed over 25 million ash trees in urban, rural and forested settings. EAB infestations spread rapidly as a result of human activities and it is now known to be present in 11 states and two Canadian provinces. Currently the entire states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are under federal quarantines that restrict the movement of ash trees, branches, logs and firewood out of those states. Kentucky is cooperating with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service - Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ) personnel to enforce this federal quarantine. A quarantine which regulates the interstate movement of ash trees has been initiated by APHIS in an effort to prevent the spread of EAB.
Tracking EAB:
Nearly 6,000 traps were placed in various locations throughout Kentucky in an effort to locate other infested areas. The bright purple triangular traps were concentrated in areas north of I-64 as well as at campgrounds and other locations with high tourist traffic, including Land Between the Lakes, Bernheim Arboretum, Mammoth Cave National Park and Lake Cumberland. The traps were baited with a manuka oil beetle attractant and glue to lure and capture adult EAB that might be active in the area; they do not attract new infestations.
The lumber industry in Kentucky has been very supportive of the measures designed to restrict the accidental movement of EAB into the state. Firewood movement has been a major factor in the spread of EAB; thus, the Kentucky state parks have banned firewood from quarantined areas. The Kentucky Forest Health Task Force produced a firewood poster that was displayed at all state and federal parks, campgrounds and various other sites across the state.
How Can You Help?
You can help by becoming familiar with the symptoms of these pests and diseases and by reporting suspected infestations or diseased trees to the division. More information about EAB is available online at http://www.emeraldashborer.info/. If you find an ash tree in Kentucky that you think is infested by EAB, please call the EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Update:
Hemlock woolly adelgid surveys were completed in the Northeastern, Eastern, Kentucky River and Southeastern districts. The adelgid was found in more than 50 sites in Bell, Clay, Grayson, Harlan, Leslie, Letcher, Oldham, Powell, Pike and Whitley counties. The infestations in Grayson and Oldham counties were fairly isolated and were eradicated by the landowner. Predatory beetles were released on Kentucky Ridge State Forest, near Pine Mountain State Resort Park, located in Bell County, and were strategically placed in several other significantly infested locations. Soil injection of the insecticide, Imidaclorprid, was performed in several sites in Kentucky Ridge and Kentenia state forests. This systemic chemical is pulled in through the hemlock's roots and when the adelgid attempts to feed on the tree's sap, it kills it.
Hemlock woolly adelgid periodic surveys will begin again in the northeastern, eastern and southeastern regions of the state in late December and conclude in April 2010. Please click here for the hemlock woolly adelgid distribution map for surveyed and infested sites.
For more information about what you can do to help, please visit the Save Kentucky's Hemlocks Web page.
