By Marcelene Sutter

Eurpoean ash, which faces serious threats from fungal infections and emerald ash borers. Credit: Alois Staudacher
The current focus of ash tree research in Europe is on finding ash trees that are tolerant or resistant to the fungus outbreak, but Dr. Steve Woodward, a tree pathologist from the University of Aberdeen, says that this approach may not be wholly effective, stating that “the problem with then jumping on
[resistance to Chalara] as though it’s a great solution to the problem of ash and the loss of ash is that … it’s highly, highly likely that they will still remain highly susceptible to the emerald ash borer.” Between fungal infection and the imminent threat of the emerald ash borer, the ash trees commonly growing across Europe are seriously threatened.
The health of ash trees in North America and Europe contrasts sharply with that of Manchurian ash trees throughout Asia, where both of these threats originated. Scientists believe that this peaceful co-existence is due to co-evolution. Because both the Chalara fungus and the beetles are imported threats to American and European ashes, the trees have not had the chance to evolve the same defenses as Asian Manchurian ash trees. For this reason, scientists feel that the Manchurian ash could provide clues in the quest to develop resistance to both of these threats.

Emerald ash borer. Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture
To learn more about the destructive effects of the emerald ash borer in Dr. Deborah G. McCullough’s article featured in American Forests or learn how to take action against the emerald ash borer.