Beetle Battle Heats Up as Arbor Day Approaches

Courtesy of NECN

Worcester has started their next wave of measures to prevent the Asian Long Horned Beetle from infesting any more trees. It is starting to inject chemicals into healthy trees that will stop the beetle from laying eggs in the trees as well as basically killing off any would be larvae from becoming viable.

We have discussed the serious problem that the Asian Long Horned Beetle caused in Worcester County.  The infestation caused thousands of trees to be cut down in order to stop it.  Thankfully the funds that were awarded by the USDA are being used to replant trees across Central Massachusetts.

The use of Imidacloprid as an insecticide has produced controversy only for it’s possible link to the a decrease in the bee population particularly in France.  It seems to me the way that the insecticide is being injected into the trees versus being used as a spray may be a major difference.

This week trees are getting even more attention since Friday is Arbor Day.  Worcester’s Tree Initiative is celebrating Worcester’s 25th year as a “Tree City USA” Community.  Worcester is one of 90 Cities and Towns in Massachusetts that are a part of this program which is run by the Arbor Day Foundation.

So what is Tree City USA®?

The Tree City USA^® program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 135 million Americans call home.

Worcester’s Tree Initiative will be planting around 200 trees at 10 local schools this week as part of the celebration.

As devastating as the Asian LongHorned Beetle has been to the Worcester area it has shown how people can join together to solve a problem.  The Worcester Tree Initiative was started as a result.  The Tree Initiative helps supply trees to individuals and organizations as well.  In conjunction with the funds given to us by the USDA there should be many trees in our future.  You can also donate a tree through their website.

Here is a video from NECN showing the use of Imidacloprid and some of the events that took place earlier this week: