MANALAPAN – The Manalapan Shade Tree Committee is encouraging residents to prepare now for the arrival of an invasive pest called the Emerald Ash Borer that has been found in Monmouth County.
The invasive tree pest originated in Asia and was first found in the United States in 2002 in Michigan, according to a press release from the Shade Tree Committee.
Since then the Emerald Ash Borer has spread east and has finally made its way to New Jersey, where it is estimated that it may kill more than 99 percent of all existing ash trees in the state. The bug was found in neighboring Monroe Township in 2015.
The emerald colored beetles lay their eggs on the bark of ash trees. Their larvae tunnel their way into the trees and feed on the layer of tissue under the bark. This disrupts the trees’ flow of nutrients and kills them within two to three years, according to the press release.
When the trees are dead they become brittle and fall apart, creating a hazardous condition for nearby people and property, according to the press release.
A recent study revealed that Manalapan has more than 2,400 ash trees lining its streets on residents’ properties along the sidewalks.
The Shade Tree Committee is encouraging residents to prepare for the Emerald Ash Borer now. If ash trees are healthy, owners can opt to treat them with a systemic insecticide plan early next spring. If treatment is not an option, the trees should be scheduled for removal, according to the press release.
Once trees are infested, it will be too late to choose the treatment option and the trees will need to be removed at the property owner’s expense, according to the press release.
The Shade Tree Committee is applying for a grant from the state to begin the replanting process for streets lined with ash trees. Manalapan residents may place their name on the replacement list by calling the shade tree office at 732-446-8416 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The tree replacement will be on a first come, first served basis.
