Conservation Notes

(1)Watch out for the Asian Longhorned Beetle

These beetles DESTROY many types of hardwood trees, such as maple, elm, horsechestnut, ash, birch, poplar and willow.

They have distinctive black and white stripes on their antennae and numerous white markings on their black body, and are about .75 to 1.5 inches long. They are sometimes confused with brown beetles of similar physical structure.

CALL the CT Agricultural Experiment Station at (203) 974-8600 if you see these beetles or damage from them in your trees or in firewood. Be sure that your firewood comes from healthy trees! To prevent widespread destruction, invested trees must be removed, chipped and burned promptly. For more information, go to http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/ or attend one of the events on the subject listed below.

The photos are taken from the UVM website; the upper insect is the male, the lower is the female, and the upper right is an example of a damaged, infested tree.

(2) Upcoming events:

Friday, Nov. 13, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm -- Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA: "12th Annual Trees in the Urban Landscape Symposium: Return of the American Elm to the Community Forest." Online registration at www.towerhillbg.org [Go to "Events & Programs Calendar" and check "12th Annual Trees in the Urban Landscape Symposium."] Or call (508) 869-611.

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 9:30 am through lunch -- Garden Education Center, 130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT: Programs on Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer, combined lecture and hands- on excursion. Bring lunch or order for $8.00. You must register in advance, but there is no charge for the program. Email Linda Cummin at lcummin@greyfoxfoundation.com, fax (203) 869-6694 or phone (203) 661-2257. Sponsored by multiple garden clubs and organizations in the Greenwich area.

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm -- Greenwich Audubon, 613 Riversville Road (at John St), Greenwich, CT. Lecture on the Asian Longhorned Beetle. Website: Greenwich.Audubon.org Appears to be no charge.

Saturday, April 10 symposium and luncheon, Fairfield Middle Ludlow School, Fairfield, CT. "Go Native; Restoring Wildlife in Your Own Backyard," presented by Sasqua Garden Club, featuring Doug Tallamay, author and chair of entomology and wildlife ecology, University of Delaware, and William Cullina, author and curator, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Tickets are $65 per person. For tickets and more information, go to www.gonativeinyourownbackyard.blogspot.com or email gonativesymposium@yahoo.com.

(3) SPECIAL EDITION of Conservation Watch, "THE OREGON WAY: LESSONS FOR ALL OF AMERICA," is now posted on the GCA website. Go to: http://www.gcamerica.org/membersonly/conwatch-newsletter/conwatch_special_oregon_edition_Oct_09.pdf . You will need to use the GCA user name and password, which you all should have received.

Mikey Hirschoff

Chair, Conservation Committee