Future Ash Tree Attack 30-May-09 Hike

While I was sitting by the Hornbeam tree I Looked through the canopy and saw an ash tree blowing back and forth in the wind. It seemed to be vibrant and enjoying life. Little does it know that a devastating bug is coming to destroy all ash trees. The Emerald Ash borer kills all ash trees in its path. There is no known cure and detection when it happens seems to be too late to stop it. I just read an article from Minnesota stating that its 900,000,000 ash trees are at risk. Another article said Indiana's 140,000,000 ash trees are at risk.

Our life can be seen in trees at times. Life is good and left to ourselves we may turn away from God to live according to our wants, called sin. There was no cure for this and man was destined to receive judgement of hell. When Jesus came and died and shed his blood for our sin, we now have hope of eternal life unlike the Ash trees that are destined to destruction.

How do we get this life? By calling on the name of Jesus and repenting of our sin to serve God. Jesus wants us to choose life in Him but we are too busy playing. The judgement for sin is coming and it is not a playing matter. Look to Jesus for help. It is only in Jesus that we have help for the wages of sin.

John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. "

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 10:9

"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash borer has been found for the first time in Missouri this summer. Wayne County is the location. One of the problems is that a tree may be infected by the borer for 2 to 3 years before it is detected. It will spread to other trees before it is detected in the first tree.

The borer starts at the top of the tree and works down. It leaves a D shaped hole in the bole of the tree where it enters. But because it starts at the top their infestation is not noticed soon enough.

Traps are set up in the tops of trees colored purple and added chemicals to attract the bug. This trap will show if the bug has entered an area or not.

Here is an article by the Missouri Dept. of Conservation that explains a little about the Ash borer.

Emerald Ash borer comes from Asia and was infesting forests in Michigan in 2002.

Web site on the treatment of the ash borer.


Emerald ash borer national info site.

Wisconsin's page shows how the borer leaves a trail inside the wood.