With the introduction of emerald ash borer into the United States in 2002, hundreds of millions of ash trees have been lost. But what else are we losing with the invasion of this pest? Why are ash trees so important to the landscape of the Unites States and Canada. For years now, we here in the Central Great Plains have watched as this pest slowly made its way closer. And now it is here. We know how to treat for it, and what to plant to replace the ash. But what exactly are we losing?
Before the spread of EAB, our streets were lined with green and white ash trees. Before that, we had American elms. With each new invasion of pests, we lose trees. But we lose more than that too. How many ecological benefits do all those trees provide? What are we going to miss as the ash trees go?
What We Were Given
Americans like trees. We like the shade they give us, the peacefulness they bring to the landscape. We have been infatuated with trees for centuries. Unfortunately, we have done a poor job of protecting our North American native trees. Besides the ash, there are many more trees with invasive diseases and pests which we have failed to protect.
- American, Red, and Slippery Elm – Dutch Elm Disease
- Black walnut – Thousand Cankers Disease
- American beech – Beech Bark Disease
- American Chestnut – Chestnut Blight
- Dogwoods – Dogwood Anthracnose
- Firs – Balsam Woolly Adelgid
- Maples – Asian Longhorned Beetle
These and many more likely to come are destroying our trees. I do see some hope for the ash, just as all them are now dead in my woodlot. But it will take decades to restore even a fraction of the ash trees to the American landscape. Just like how we have gotten with the elm. We were given stewardship of this land, and we have done a poor job at it. But there is still time to educate the next generation about the threats to our trees. The biggest threats are us of course, and followed closely by invasive pests and diseases.
What About the Ash Tree?
There are 43 species of ash (Fraxinus) native to North America. Here in the Central Great Plains, we have 3 common species, the blue, the green, and the white. But there are so many more across the country. And they all bring important parts to each individual or overlapping ecosystem. Insects, birds, wildlife. All are attracted to and utilize ash trees.
We use them for a variety of things too. Besides shading our homes and streets, they are also used to make baseball bats, furniture, flooring, tool handles, hockey sticks, railroad ties, gym flooring, stair treads, arrow shafts, and dowels. Also, it is a dense wood, often used for firewood. And it was my dad’s favorite wood to use in woodworking.
But There is More
Besides being used for a variety of things in woodworking and construction, ash trees are home to an abundance of wildlife. With the loss of so many native trees, we are staring at a potential collapse of the woodland or savannah ecosystems. Certainly a loss in bird numbers as their food sources dwindle. We must find a way to preserve and protect the rest of our native trees even while trying to plant those which are being destroyed.
Life in and on an Ash Tree
Without the diversity in the American forest, a lot of the insect life would be diminished or lost. What do I mean by that? Well, when there is more biodiversity, then there are more plants to share the insect load or burden, thus resulting in more life overall. While oaks, cherries, and hickories host the brunt of the moth and butterfly world, other trees support them by sharing species. The ash (Fraxinus) is one those sharing species. It has a lot of overlap on insect host species. Altogether, the ash supports 121 species of moths and butterflies, 17 beetles, 22 bugs, 5 gall-forming insects, 12 aphids and scale-insects, and 5 sawflies.
Among these insects are leaf beetles, wood-boring beetles, aphids, tree-hoppers, and much more. Seeds are eaten by a variety of birds including wood ducks, quail, turkeys, grosbeaks, and cardinals. The foliage is consumed by deer and moose. And the bark/wood is eaten by American beavers and porcupines. Plus, many birds and bats use the tree for nesting and sheltering sites.
Moths and butterflies are considered the more important species because they are the beginning of big food web. Birds and other insectivores eat the caterpillars and then they are in turn eaten by others. The food web can contain hundreds of species of insects, animals, birds, and fungi.
Moths and Butterflies
- Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly
- Mourning Cloak butterfly
- Red Spotted Purple butterfly
- Viceroy butterfly
- Cecropia moth
- Io moth
- Promethea moth
- Regal moth
- Luna moth
- Twin-spotted Sphinx moth
- Penitent underwing moth
- Smeared dagger moth
- Polyphemus moth
- American dagger moth
Fungi
Let’s not forget about fungal associations. There are actually several fungal species which are host-specific on ash. And while it may not seem as if fungi are something we want to keep, they are part of the ecosystems, and other things feed on them.
- Ash-tree Bolete – host specific on ash tree roots.
- Chicken of the woods
- Morel mushrooms
- Gyrodon merulioides
- Oyster mushrooms
Conclusion
When the ash tree goes, then more will go with it. We all need to start protecting our trees, our native trees. If we do not, then we risk so many parts of our ecosystem, which is made up many parts.
Happy planting!
