Morels May Become Extinct One Day!

[jdmidwest]

I just read an article in STL Today regarding the Emeral Ash Borer Beetle and Ash Trees. Seems like the way some feel to stop the problem is to kill of the food supply, ash trees. Morels love ash trees. What will happen if ash trees become extinct?

I saw it a few years ago near Greenville, they found a bug and killed every ash tree on public property to try to stop the spread. They quarantined the wood, but they still spread. Don't they realize they can fly?

http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/destructive-ash-borer-beetle-advancing-in-st-louis-area/article_c1398f2b-e173-5a4f-9c1a-d3e4ea5bd0cc.html

[wuteversbitin424]

Ive read alot about that as well. I hope thats not the case. At least they grow around many other trees too plus if they just cut down or kill the ash tree and leave the root i would think they would keeping growing see as how they really like dying elms and other dead trees. Whatever the case the ash borer still poses a large problem for a very significant and beautiful tree!

[jdmidwest]

Surely there is a better way to control than kill off the ash. Spray, natural predator, something. If we kill off the ash instead of the bugs, the trees are still gone. What if the bug adapts to a new tree species?

[wuteversbitin424]

I agree 100%. I hope something can be done!

[SpoonDog]

The emerald ash borer will only attack the aboveground portion of the tree- the root system stays alive and intact, and the trees will often sprout back from the base. If it gets as bad as some folks say, it'll be like the American chestnut- they're still around, just not as mature trees.