This month, staff from the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation's Urban and Community Forestry and Forest Health Programs collaborated to protect black ash (Fraxinus nigra) trees in state owned forests. Groups of male and female black ash trees - 32 in total - in Lake Carmi State Park and Maquam Wildlife Management Ares were injected with a systemic insecticide to confer resistance to the emerald ash borer, and promote future regeneration of the species. 

Black ash trees are not only ecologically significant, but also play an important role in the cultural lifeways of indigenous groups in the region. Chemically treating these ‘preservation patches’ of black ash trees is part of FPR’s strategy to elevate public awareness about this relatively rare tree. Through conservation of black ash trees, public log pounding and basket making workshops, and seed saving efforts, FPR hopes to educate Vermonters about the role of black ash trees in our region’s landscape and cultural history.

Learn more about the emerald ash borer.

Learn more about VT UCF's projects related to black ash.