What’s coming? From where?

World travelers
Close-up photo of one Asian Long Horned Beetle on a light brown branch. The Asian Long Horned Beetle is black, light brey/ blue with white spots on its back and antennae.
The ALB was first detected in Brooklyn, New York, in 1996, likely introduced via infested wood packaging materials from Asia. Since then, infestations have been identified in several states; more than 180,000 hardwood trees were removed to curb further spread.

Of all the threats to urban trees, the most severe originate overseas.

Some of these “exports” are intentional; companies may forgo careful inspections which can keep dangerous “passengers” from reaching a new home. Of eleven severe pests and disease tracked by the USDA Forest Service, all but nine originated in Asia.

Still others may be accidental travelers on the wood pallets and crates that carry cargo. And some travel in the passenger cabin, or in the luggage of people arriving from overseas. Often, people will carry foods and vegetables that remind them of their former home or that evoke memories of a special trip.

All  paws on deck!

The Beagle Brigade works tirelessly to sniff out people bringing plant material and food into the country. They inspect luggage at US airports, ports and border crossings. Why Beagles? They have keen sense of smell. And compared to their colleagues from USDA and Customs and Border Protection, they’re small, nonthreatening and friendly.

Photo of a beagle indicating it found a prohibited item in a suitcase by raising one paw. In the background are three suitcases and the handler's feet.
The Beagle Brigade averages around 75,000 seizures of prohibited agricultural products each year.

Closer to home

You and your neighbors might be unwitting culprits. Most of the insect pests that plague urban trees in the US arrived on imported ornamental trees and plants. Others catch a ride on firewood cut from dead, dying or otherwise infected trees.

Logo for Don't Move Firewood.org. A graphic of three logs with a cartoon yellow and orange fire on top. At the bottom in bold orange and brown letters it reads Don't Move Firewood dot org,
www.dontmovefirewood.org

 

The Nature Conservancy manages a nationwide public awareness campaign curb the spread of invasives hitchhiking on firewood from far-away places. 

Visit the site Don’t Move Firewood for extensive resources and materials to incorporate into your local efforts.