The original settlers of these United States came primarily from the open field areas of Europe. They were afraid to go through the heavily forested areas of the eastern states. The tree canopy was so dense that it was nearly dark at midday and they traveled slowly and with great trepidation.

They soon learned how to clear the woods to allow for the agricultural practices they were used to as well as for wood for their dwellings. Because of its tolerance to water-related decay, cypress trees were soon scarce. Ships’ keels and many other uses soon took a lot of giant oaks and the tree canopy opened more. Winter temperatures and the need for cooking fires opened up even more holes.

In due time, nearly all of American chestnuts succumbed to a continent-wide disease attack and there was more open sky. Now we have only some old photographs and a few poems about them. Then, because of the beautiful and out-arching structure of the American elm, it was used to line hundreds of miles of streets and roads in our rapidly developing towns.

About that time from Europe, due to vast and fast developing trade routes, a hitchhiking elm bark beetle came to our continent. It was carrying a fungus that infected our defenseless American elms. Because of advances of our scientific ability and the significant dollar and aesthetic value of these trees, scientific processes were applied to the problem. Research was done in all areas of plant, insect and disease domains. After well over a half century, there are now new elm tree cultivars that are known to be highly resistant to this problem.

The scientific gain was ever greater than just a few trees. There are now procedures in place that can hopefully speed up the defensive battles that will yet have to be fought because of global commerce. The air, water and land movement of pathogens is far faster now than the natural defenses of our flora and fauna.

Since its discovery and identification in 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer has knowingly become a formidable enemy. In round figures, there are 20 million or so of dead and dying ash trees in a five-state/one province area. Ohioans are essentially on the edge of this problem.

Because of its own physical and physiological composition and because it has had no time to genetically build any defenses, all ash trees in Ohio are vulnerable. That could mean a loss of more than 3 billion trees in the Buckeye State. Another, even greater opening in our tree canopy is possible.

The consequences are the same as those of the other historical losses. The cost of removal in urban areas where there are human and physical targets for dead, decaying and falling trees will be enough to at least disrupt the economies of many municipalities. The wide distribution of ash in our forests and cities will also change the aesthetics of our overall environment.

The problem is here, it’s very real and we and our trees are currently very defenseless. It is also possible that all ash on the entire continent could be lost. There don’t seem to be any “cures” right now, however there are scientific principles, systems and procedures in place. There have been and are teams of highly skilled scientists and technicians in place and functioning in several areas to work out possible solutions or management techniques.

What can you do? When you buy bulk cord wood for your home fireplace, ask the purveyor to certify that its source is from within your quarantined area or from outside of the danger zone, so you don’t become an innocent transmitter of trouble.

Learn the signs of this borer. It is small, emerald green, but seldom seen. It does, however, leave an absolute identifier when it emerges from the affected trees, or parts thereof in the period of mid-to-late May. The exit hole is absolutely “D” shaped – not oval or circular.

When it has affected – entered and started to kill – an ash, the above ground parts wither and die with leaves even turning brown and holding their limb/twig positions. Some trees will simply not foliate in the upper portions the next spring and then sucker at the bottom (ground level or just above). By the time that tree is dead, the insect has long since moved on to lay eggs and kill other ash trees. Learn the signs and symptoms and be especially careful to observe and then call for positive identification and further help in trying to stop this enemy. No “Code Talkers” are needed in this battle, but public caution and vigilance is.

For more information, call 888-Ohio-EAB or (614) 387-1095, or visit www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab or www.ashalert.osu.edu.

Fred Hower, otherwise known as “The Ohio Nurseryman,” has more than 45 years experience as a horticultural consultant, certified arborist and landscape designer. He can be heard on Plant Talk on WMNI 920-AM.