Here in Mid Mich we lost all of ash trees from the EAB years ago . Still cutting large dead ash trees . I’ve seen some new growth starting in my fence rows a few years ago . Didn’t expect much at all to happen but noticed all the seeds the other day . Don’t know if any of these trees will make it but we will see . Not holding my breath . I wonder if the ash will be like the elm trees around here . Die back as they start getting older ?
I see ash saplings here and there. Saw a stump from a living tree sprouting new growth. Will they live to maturity time will tell. Hopefully they do. Dont wanna be an old timer (sort of already am) telling young uns about ash of yesteryear.
You're a lot closer to ground zero for EAB infestation than I am. That's remarkable that after this many years, the young trees were left alone long enough to produce seed. I'm hoping there will be an equilibrium reached between the host trees and the EAB. With all the mature trees mostly gone, the beetle population should collapse, then grow again as new host trees mature. As long as trees are able to get large enough to set seed, the species can continue. I think you hit the nail on the head by drawing the American Elm comparison. As tragic as that story is, at least we still have the elms, albeit it's only a matter of time before individual trees succumb. I have a small stand of young white ash (and elms) along the edge of my property. The stems range from 1/2 inch to about 2 inches in diameter. I did some release work, cutting back unwanted bushes and overstory trees so that the ash could grow rapidly in good sunlight. With any luck they'll produce seed before the beetles return and I can nurse along the next cohort of white ash.
Like a lot of the country, our ashes and elms have been hit hard. I've noticed a lot of small elms sprouting up near me, we don't have a lot of ash. My uninformed opinion is the EAB and elm bark beetle will largely die off since they killed most of their host trees, and the trees will make a comeback, and hopefully nature will balance itself. Probably in my grandkids lifetime.
While in the L.P. I noticed tons of dead ash along side the roadways. But, on the other hand, I noticed a lot of yards with very mature trees giving out shade. Must have been maple, oak, HVBW, but they were tall and full. Does the L.P. have black locust or some other type of locust? There seemed to be a lot of them in bloom over a week ago along the highways.
