No Ash trees in our national forests? Say it ain’t possible
A stand of Black ash on swampy land in Chippewa NF; photo by Louis Iverson, USDA Forest Service
A tree with many uses
Black ash, a dominant tree species of forested wetlands in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, serves several purposes. It provides multiple ecosystem services. It is a valuable resource for Native American basket-makers. Now the ash tree’s existence is threatened by the emerald ash borer (EAB). It is killing virtually all ash throughout the Midwest, including the vast black ash swamps of the Northwoods. Although efforts, such as not permitting firewood from beyond the local area to be used in a campground, have slowed its spread, these efforts have only been somewhat successful. EAB has not been stopped. In addition, climate change impacts models indicate that habitats for black ash trees will diminish in future decades.
A replacement for the Black ash
Forest Service researchers have identified tree species that may be able to replace black ash. These include species that could be planted now to ensure that forests remain after EAB has done its damage and after any substantial changes in climate have occurred.
The climate change impact models show many species currently dominating the Northwoods – quaking aspen, balsam fir, balsam poplar and paper birch – may lose substantial habitat due to warming and varied other conditions. These species are also considered less suitable as long-term replacement species. Possibly alternative species including American elm, American basswood, red maple, bur oak, and boxelder and might be used to “colonize” areas vacated by the loss of black ash.
In other words, the national forest our grandchildren will enjoy could be greatly different then the one we have enjoyed. I’m not sure if this makes me sad about the change or glad that there will still be a forest for them.
