Cornell Cooperative Extension

Broome County
Adult emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888
Image by David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

Emerald Ash Borer

Characteristic white ovisacs of hemlock woolly adelgid.
Image by Michael Montgomery, USDA Forest Service

Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Image by Donna R. Ellis, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Invasive Species

Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org Hemlock Adelgid

Emerald Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid are here!

Emerald ash borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid are infesting and killing trees in Broome County. As the populations of these invasive insects grow, more and more trees will become infested and die.  

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

EAB is an invasive wood boring beetle from to Asia that infests and kills all native species of ash trees in the United States.  EAB was first detected in Broome County in 2014, and it has now spread across the southern portion of Broome County.  Dead, infested ash trees have been found in the towns of Conklin, Kirkwood, Maine, Vestal, and Union, and in the City of Binghamton.  EAB will eventually kill nearly all unprotected ash trees in the County.  The links below provide information on identifying ash trees and EAB infestations, as well as options for protecting trees with insecticides.  

NYS DEC Emerald Ash Borer

The Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Program

Ash Tree Identification Michigan State Extension

Signs & Symptoms of EAB (Michigan State Extension)

Emerald Ash Borer Management

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)

HWA is a tiny, aphid-like insect that damages and kills our native eastern hemlock trees by sucking out moisture and nutrients while it feeds.  HWA was detected in Broome County in 2010.  It has been found in numerous locations in Broome County from the Pennsylvania State line to the Town of Triangle.  Protective insecticides are available for treating hemlock trees, and researchers are working on promising biological controls.  The links below provide detailed information on  HWA, including options for treating trees with insecticides.

NYS DEC Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

NYS Hemlock Initiative

Japanese Knotweed plantBush Honeysuckle fruit

Non-native Invasive Plants

Many species of non-native invasive plants have become established in Broome County.  Identifying and controlling these plants can be very challenging.   Contact us for help with identification and for management guidance.  Below are some helpful links.

Finger Lakes PRISM

Cornell Invasive Plants & Pests

NYS DEC Nuisance & Invasive Species

Contact

Linda Svoboda
Horticulture Program Educator
ljs322@cornell.edu
(607) 584-5016

Last updated October 14, 2021

Environment

Spotted Lanternfly

An adult spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula ) (White, 1845)</p><p> (Bugwood; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flickr/Creative Commons)

Spotted lanternfly was discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 has now been detected in New York State. This invasive insect from Asia feeds on over 70 species of plants and poses a significant threat to trees and agricultural crops like grapes, hops and apples. Visit the  spotted lanternfly web page to learn more.

Finding a Tree Care Specialist

branch pruning

Arborists and other tree care professionals can provide valuable advice and suggest treatment options for ash or hemlock trees that have become infested with invasive insects. Check out the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's information on How to Select an Arborist or Tree Service  

Beware of this plant!

Wild Parsnip

Beware, this plant can cause serious burns. Wild Parsnip blooms from late May through early July, and can be found throughout New York including here in Broome County. The sap from this plant combined with exposure to sunlight can cause burns, blisters and purple or brown scars that can last for months. To learn how to identify this plant and options for controlling it click here. 

Events

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Ash Tree Hazards

Ash trees infested with emerald ash borer (EAB) usually die within 2 to 3 years.  Infested trees in locations near buildings, utility lines, and parking lots present risks to property and human safety.  For more information check out the article, Aerial Assault: Dead and Dying Ash Trees Pose Hazard from Above , from the Pennsylvania DCNR Good Natured newsletter, and this article by arborist Emmett Shutts that appeared in the Summer 2016 edition of the Connecticut Tree Protective Association newsletter: Dead Ash Tree Removal? Think Twice!