Signs of hope
The situation is dire but not hopeless. Scientists have discovered and released four species of wasps that can find and kill ash borer larvae inside trees. Other trees such as baldcypress and swamp white oak may be able to take the ash's place in some forests. Individual ash trees can also be kept alive with chemical treatments, but only at great expense. And scientists hope to use the seeds of rare "survivor" trees to breed borer-resistant varieties for replanting.
As we're trying to save ash trees and their ecosystems today, we also need to think about the future. Every one of our trees could be vulnerable to an imported pest. How can we ensure this story isn't repeated? And how can we be the best stewards of the wild and natural places around us?
Swamp white oak, Nanticoke River wetland
University of Maryland ecologist Diane Leason measures saplings, Piscataway Park
University of Maryland Gruner lab researchers examine the effects of parasitoid wasps on emerald ash borer larvae, Patapsco Valley State Park
University of Maryland ecologists Andrew Baldwin and Diane Leason examine ash leaves, Marshyhope Creek
Andrew Baldwin plants seedlings, Nanticoke River wetland
Baldcypress seedling, planted by UMD ecologists, Nanticoke River wetland