This week my partner created a fantastic logo for the Tree Identification and Inventory Project and I revised the text on the pamphlets to show more information on them and sent them to my partner. We have planned to cover two blocks worth of public trees each week in hopes to cover 30 blocks by the end of the semester. The majority of my time was spent researching what the major problems threatening the trees of South Orange were.
In South Orange one of the major groups of tree species are ash trees. Threatening the ash trees are the Emerald Ash Borer and Ash Yellow Disease. Emerald Ash Borer are an invasive species from Asia that target ash trees to lay their larvae in, preferably younger trees. The larvae eat the tree from the inside of the bark disrupting the flow of water and nutrients transported to the leaves. The larvae mature to seek more ash trees. The tree suffers as a result and could possibly kill the tree. Trees used in landscaping are especially threatened because these trees tend to be planted in compacted soil, suffer from a lack of moisture, and pollution which decreases their resistance to fight off these insects.
Another significant issue plaguing ash trees in South Orange is Ash Yellow Disease. Ash yellows is a chronic, systemic disease that affects ash trees of all ages. Infected trees grow at slower rate than non-infected trees. Leaves on infected trees are smaller, thinner and lighter green than usual. Often they will produce branches in tufts, a symptom that is called “brooming”. Eventually, branches in the crown will die until the entire crown is dead. Ash yellows is caused by the phytoplasma, Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxinii. Phytoplasmas are bacteria-like organisms that live and survive in the food-conducting tissue of infected plants. Leafhoppers are thought to primarily spread this disease. There is no known cure for ash yellows, but some infected trees may live and grow slowly with the disease for many years. Infected trees should be removed as to stop the spread of the disease.
The Tree Inventory and Identification Project would help the town of South Orange identify how many ash trees there are. From there the town can use that data to determine what would be the best course of action to take in terms of where to implement insecticide and what trees to remove as stop the spread of disease. The use of this software could help preserve this significant population of trees and might help spread awareness of the dire situation ash trees in particular are in. I for one had no idea there was such a dangerous problem affecting this large population of trees and this inspires me to help T.I.I.P and make some positive impact on our ecosystem.