Alien Invasion

Damn immigrants! A new Asian (Russia?) bug, the Emerald Ash Borer has been found in SE Michigan. It kills all varieties of Ash “with surprising aggressiveness”. This is very bad news. Ash easily constitute one out of every three street trees planted around here. Only Honey Locust and Norway Maple are as prevalent. In parking lots, too, it is one of only a couple trees commonly planted, Red Maple being the only tree as heavily planted. If Ash go out the way the American Elm did, it will devastate this region. The only good that can possibly come out of it is that more uncommon trees may come into use. American Basswood for streets and Hackberry for parking lots are two I’d like to see used more. But I’m not holding my breath that even this will make people come around. A friend who works at the MDA told me MSU is tentatively recommending Honey Locust as replacements. Good, then there’ll only be two trees completely dominating the landscape. Sheesh. There is just no substitute for diversified plantings, and while this pest is striking a native, natives are still the best choice for restablishing some stability in our local ecosystems. Those interested in native plants can try the Wild Ones for a great first start.