Emerald Ash Borer Beetles Discovered in West Windsor

On April 2nd, 2025, a forester from the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation verified the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in an ash tree in West Windsor. This is the first verified infestation in West Windsor, though all towns surrounding West Windsor except Weathersfield have confirmed presence of EAB. Activity was confirmed in Reading and Windsor in 2024.

Since emerald ash borer range increases only 1 to 2 miles per year, it is important to adopt practices which “slow the spread”. This is especially important during the flight season of the beetle, from June 1 through September 30. It is recommended that ash wood products (firewood or logs) not be moved more than 10 miles from known areas of infestation during this period unless those products have been treated. Accepted treatment of wood products which is acknowledged to kill the larvae includes heat treating/kiln drying firewood and chipping. Ash wood is considered safe to transport, regardless of the time of year, after these treatments. A practice which is strongly discouraged is leaving ash firewood free for the taking by the roadside as this precludes any control over the wood’s eventual destination.

A very small percentage of ash trees are naturally resistant to EAB. As a result, some foresters discourage preemptively cutting down live trees with the intent that the genes of resistant trees are perpetuated and spread. Semi-annual inoculation is available, but at a cost, so usually this is only practical for trees of significant importance to the landowner.

More information on how to deal with ash trees is available from the State’s Forest, Parks and Recreation Department, foresters, your Town’s Tree Warden or myself - a VTinvasive.org representative.

Ken Parrot, West Windsor Resident, VT Invasives Rep - khparrot@gmail.com

David Putnam, West Windsor Tree Warden - drputnam2@gmail.com