A Brief History of Ash Tree Pests

Before settlement, pests and disease outbreaks within forest eco systems were natural occurrences caused by native species. Ash trees have evolved a defence against the borer in which they create a chemical compound that makes the wood more difficult for the beetle to digest. Since the borer arrived in the united states very recently, species of north american ash have not yet evolved to have any defence against the beetle. By the time e a b was discovered in maine, the wabanaki community had been preparing for the pest's arrival for more than a decade. Gabe is a thirteenth generation pasimaquadi basket maker. He says: 'If i live long enough, there will probably be enough brown