Brother Chris Herring, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mexico Ward
Missouri is home to many types of beautiful trees. Maple, Hickory, Walnut, Ash to name just a few.
This year I noticed almost all of our Ash trees once vibrant and beautiful were losing their leaves and appeared stressed.
I thought some of this was due to last year’s drought, but other species of trees were not affected. When I looked into this I found the culprit to be an Emerald Ash Tree Borer that likely came from Asia, hidden in a wooden crate.
Outwardly this insect has a bright and beautiful “emerald” color. As is often said: “looks can be deceiving!” The Borer lays its eggs in tree bark and the ensuing larvae tunnel and eat their way through the life sustaining outer rings of the tree. This action causes most certain eventual death of the tree.
This invasive and unwelcome pest has spread across North America causing the demise of untold millions of trees.
I find it amazing how something so small and attractive can be the means of so much destruction. I also am intrigued why this Borer only attacks ash trees? It finds and singles out these trees in the deepest forests and around our homes. It appears that none escape.
I read the best way to stop this from happening is by applying preemptive chemicals before they attack.
Sadley, there is nothing now we can do for our dying trees, but we can start now to protect our own selves and families from the “Ash Tree Borers” that will attack us in these Last Days.
For the complete column, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard
