1 Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association Organized for the Protection and Preservation of Trees March 27, 1913 Dr. George E. Stone, Founder 2016 Issue 2 Summer MASSACHUSETTS FOREST HEALTH UPDATES Gypsy Moth Populations Emerald Ash Borer: Now in Eastern White Pines On the Rise Worcester and Wilbraham Showing Severe Decline RAYNHAM – Not long ago, a familiar WORCESTER - If it’s not one pest During the spring of 2016, a dramatic but uninvited guest began to show it’s another, as demonstrated by a decline of eastern white pine (Pinus up on Kathy Voller’s north Raynham roughly 35 foot-tall white ash tree at strobus) has been observed property. the end of Clarendon Street that is throughout southern New England. The dreaded gypsy moth caterpillars being killed by the emerald ash Needles of mature trees become were back in Voller’s two acres of borer. straw‐colored to brown before they forest and she knew what would “It’s the first (infested) tree found in are prematurely shed from the happen next. About five years ago, Worcester County, and it was found canopy. In some cases, only a few her landscaping was devastated by by one of our surveyors for Asian main branches are symptomatic the insects. longhorned beetle,” Ken Gooch, whereas on other trees, the entire canopy exhibits the symptoms. One So when they showed up recently, director of the Forest Health feature of the decline is that despite Voller didn’t pick up bug spray — Program with the state Department significant needle browning and she picked up the phone. “We tried of Conservation and Recreation, said premature shedding in the canopy, things ourselves but realize that with Continued on page 4 the current season’s needles are this much land, a professional was elongating and appear healthy. needed,” Voller said. “We had it WILBRAHAM – On May 5, 2016, sprayed two weeks ago and all signs officials from the United States Based on observations from of them are gone.” Department of Agriculture confirmed arborists, landscapers and Voller’s proactive approach is the presence of emerald ash borer homeowners made to the UMass necessary because after years of (EAB) in Wilbraham, the first Plant Diagnostic Laboratory decline, numbers of gypsy moth detection in Hampden County. A (UMPDL), white pine decline seems caterpillars are surging across private arborist saw exit holes and to be especially severe in Massachusetts. The insects have extensive “blonding” of bark on southeastern New Hampshire, been stripping leaves off trees several ash trees on a private eastern Massachusetts and eastern across large pockets of the state. property near Bruuer Pond and Connecticut. The cause of this “I would say almost surely this is the contacted state officials. Staff from dramatic decline event is not yet Continued on page 5 Continued on page 4 Continued on page 6 MTWFA Executive Board 2016 In this issue OFFICERS President’s Message 3 President—Robert LeBlanc, Walpole Vice President—Alex Sherman, Springfield In Memoriam: Dennis Dowd 5 Secretary—David Hawkins, Pelham Welcome New Members 6 Treasurer—Paul Sellers, Falmouth Gordon King: Address Change 6 Past President—David Lefcourt, Cambridge Southeastern Mass. Tree Wardens 8 COUNTY DELEGATES Western Mass. Tree Wardens 8 Essex—Andy DeSantis, Saugus Tree Warden of the Year 9 Middlesex—Joel Custance, Lexington Norfolk/Bristol—Ed Olsen, Needham Arbor Day Highlights from Kids 13 Plymouth—Craig Hillman, Allscape Tree Index of Advertisers 13 Western Mass.—Alan Snow, Amherst Worcester—Ruth Seward, Worcester Tree Initiative The BARK Newsletter is made possible through AT-LARGE MEMBERS a grant from the USDA Forest Service, Urban George Ackerson, Clinton and Community Forestry Program and the Ted Bubbins, Plymouth Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Art Goodhind, Natick Recreation, Bureau of Forestry. Chris Hayward, Watertown Jamie Magaldi, Wilmington Chris Scott, Chicopee Guy Shepard, Georgetown MTWFA Kent Warren, Wellesley Marc Welch, Newton MASSACHUSETTS TREE ADVISORS WARDENS’ AND George Batchelor, MassDOT Highway David Bloniarz, USDA Forest Service FORESTERS’ Thomas Brady, Brookline Thomas Chamberland, Sturbridge ASSOCIATION Julie Coop, Massachusetts DCR Mollie Freilicher, Massachusetts DCR P.O. Box 326 Rick Harper, University of Massachusetts Arthur Jeselonis, retired, Medford South Hadley, MA Melissa LeVangie, Petersham James MacArthur, retired, National Grid John Parry, USDA Forest Service 781-894-4759 Dennis Ryan, retired, University of Massachusetts [email protected] Eric Seaborn, National Grid Published Quarterly NEWSLETTER EDITOR Spring-Summer-Fall-Winter Karen Doherty, MTWFA Executive Director [email protected] 781-894-4759 2 Summer 2016 12 From the President The DCR hosted the Tree City USA awards at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester this past month. The guest speakers included Ruth Seward, the director It appears as if the rush of the of the non-profit Worcester Tree Initiative, who gave an spring season is finally slowing excellent talk on how her community rose to the down. I am sure most of you have challenge in the face of ALB to unite the people to re- been going full tilt for the past plant the city. Many towns, cities, colleges, and utilities three months, as everyone else is enjoying the attended the daylong event, but not enough. DCR outdoors and recreating and you are trying to keep up Commissioner Leo Roy spoke and reported that only with the growing season and all the work requests. 83 towns and cities out of the 351 total in The MTWFA Arbor Day event this year was held in Massachusetts are designated Tree City USA. This Chelsea to honor Tree Warden of the Year Andy number needs to increase, and I challenge everyone to DeSantis, MCA. Many Chelsea city officials attended get out and have your town or city get involved. This is the planting of a beautiful pink-flowering Cornus kousa. a great program of the National Arbor Day Foundation Several people spoke to the gathering about the fine that is overseen by DCR’s Julie Coop and Mollie work that Andy has done for the City of Chelsea. His Freilicher. co-operative efforts with the National Arbor Day Finally, as the fiscal year comes to a close for all of us foundation, Massachusetts DCR, the Patriots municipal types, I would like to remind all of the Tree Foundation, Chelsea Green Space and Urban Institute, Wardens that M.G.L. Chapter 87, Section 2 states that Phoenix Academy, NSTAR and TD Bank have all “the Tree Warden SHALL expend all money contributed toward the planting of more than 1,000 appropriated for the setting out and maintenance of trees around the city. Andy was responsible for the such trees, shrubs and growths” within the right-of-way. training that was conducted – in both Spanish and You are obligated by law to do so. I know that a lot of English – for the Chelsea DPW staff and all the us are easily accomplishing this and maybe looking for volunteers. He even went the extra mile to connect with more funding. the Chelsea youth volunteers by conducting “midnight plantings,” so when some residents woke up in the So, this is where the Tree City USA designation comes morning and looked out their window, a new tree had into play. When applying for grant money, the DCR will been planted in front of the house! Congratulations to weigh this factor into the overall decision to fund your Andy and best of luck in his semi-retirement from public request. It only makes sense to get on board with the works. National Arbor Day Foundation. This is a relationship that works for everyone: more planting, more trees, and Our association put on two excellent PDS programs greener communities overall. over the course of the spring. The EHAP training in Wellesley was well attended. Many thanks to our Have a safe and fun summer, instructor Dave Hawkins for helping us offer this Bob LeBlanc important safety program on a topic of daily relevance President 2015-2106 for most of us doing our jobs. Thanks also go out to Kent Warren and the Wellesley DPW and Municipal th Light staffs for hosting the two-day event. On May 17 , at the University of the Needham DPW hosted Rick Harper and David Massachusetts Stockbridge School Amherst Lefcourt for a workshop on proper planting and care 115 Stockbridge Hall • Campus Center Way • Amherst, MA 01003 techniques for new trees. The room was full, the Prepare for a Career in: NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL PROGRAM APPROVED information being presented was well organized, and !Arboriculture & Community Forest Management the participants had great interaction and discussion on Stand Out in the Crowd... this most important topic. Needham Tree Warden Ed We offer other Career Opportunities in: ! Equine Industries ! Fruit & Vegetable Crops Olsen provided three trees that were planted by the ! Horticulture 100% Career Placement - Floriculture Crop Production - General Horticulture Two-Year Degrees group using the methods explained by the presenters. - Management of Woody Plants - Retail Floral Design MTWFA will have another tree planting training session ! Landscape Contracting Internships ! Turfgrass Management in Fall River this fall, and I highly recommend you bring The Small School your DPW crews to this excellent educational event. with BIG Opportunities (413)545-2222 • www.umass.edu/stockbridge www.masstreewardens.org 781-894-4759 3 Summer 2016 23 Worcester EAB – Continued from page 1 on their larval host. The wasps are “minute,” Mr. Gooch while peeling bark off from the tree. A beetle trap said, and arrive in what look like big, clear Solo cups swayed from a moribund limb above. with about 2,000 of their brethren. Mr. Gooch and DCR Forester Felicia Andre turned over But before the wasps can be released, their prey needs the bark and traced a maze of tunnels on the bark’s to be found.