City of Norwich Street Tree Committee Chair Rebecca Hargrave presenting information on the emerald ash borer to council members during the joint committee meeting on Tuesday, March 1. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — During the joint committee meeting on Tuesday, March 1, officials from the City of Norwich Street Tree Committee and the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District gave a presentation detailing the current risk Norwich ash trees are facing from the invasive emerald ash borer.

According to Chair of the Street Tree Committee Rebecca Hargrave, the emerald ash borer is an invasive species with no natural predators that first appeared in New York State in 2009. They feed on ash trees and, eventually, cause their death.

"The preferred host is ash trees, and generally what happens is the female lays eggs on the bark of the tree, they hatch and burrow down into the tree," Hargrave explained. "They feed on the phloem between the bark and the tree, and that phloem is where all the living tissue is."

The presentation provided pictures that showed telltale signs of emerald ash borer infestations, such as "S" shaped tracks under the tree's bark, and flaking bark. Unfortunately, these signs are becoming noticeable in the area.