Friday, October 28, 2005

New Jersey Battles Their New Beetle Overlords

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection annouced that they have begun a reforestation plan in an effort to replace the more than 5000 trees that had to be removed due to Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) infestations. When they're done, they'll have planted about 1500 saplings, a mix of native (yay!) and non-native species. The work is part of a federally funded $1.6 million project. Meanwhile, the removal of infected trees continues.

Thanks to Val C. over at Flying Fur for sending in the press release.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder what the reasons would be for including non-native trees to re-plant where native trees were infested by an invasive beetle. I suppose the non-native trees are lower cost...
Do other states use a mix of native and non-native for restoration?

Jennifer Forman Orth said...

Actually I was surprised to see so many natives on the list.

I expect that cost would be a factor, but also probably hardiness for where the trees are being planted. I have seen plenty of "deadscapes" to know better than to plant swarths of trees without checking if they can tolerate things like pollution, road salt, compacted soil, etc.