Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Lost Trees



There's a heavy stand of dead ash trees that runs for a mile or so just north of Harbor Beach, Michigan on M-25. I took this image of the trees this week and once again mourned their loss.

In the spring dead trees look like they are late, almost as if their buds haven't produced leaves yet. By summer, it is apparent that trees have been killed by the emerald ash borer's presence.

Bare branch trees, easily identifiable as ash trees, can be seen along fencerows and roadsides in much of southeast Michigan. The emerald ash borer, an invasive insect, takes a toll on the wooded areas as the ash trees cannot withstand the activity of the borer.

Since wood is quarantined and must not be moved from areas where the trees are dying, lots of woodlots have been harvested and it is very common to see firewood for sale along the road.

Copyright 2012
Wanda Hayes Eichler



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