The emerald ash borer.

Do you love to work with ash? If so, you’re not alone. Ash is a wonderful woodworking material. Not only is it elegant in appearance, it is easy to work with and it ages like a fine wine.

Unfortunately, ash trees across 16 different states are being threatened by the emerald ash borer, a wood-boring beetle that was introduced to North America accidentally from eastern Asia. Connecticut is the most recent state to confirm the presence of the emerald ash borer, which first hitched a ride across the seas in solid wood packing material in the late 80′s and early 90′s.

The emerald ash borer is currently responsible for the death of tens of millions of ash trees all the way from the Midwest to Tennessee to New York State. Additionally, Canada recently confirmed that the emerald ash borer had been found in Bruce County, Ontario, which makes 26 counties in Ontario.

Restrictions on the movement of ash materials such as logs and wood chips as well as firewood have helped slow the spread of the beetle. At least one company has claimed success with a product injected into the trunks of trees, while other research is exploring the use of native asian wasps as a form of biological control.

If you are one of those woodworkers with a soft spot for ash, support the efforts to limit the spread of the emerald ash borer!