One Step Ahead of EAB: A Genetic Conservation Program for Ash in Minnesota

1. One Step Ahead of EAB: A Genetic Conservation Program for Ash in Minnesota Andrew David, Associate Professor Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota and Mike Reichenbach, Extension Educator University of Minnesota

2. Overview • Minnesota Seed Collection Initiative • Ash tree identification • Seed collection

3. EAB – Status of knowledge • Lack of an effective biological control • All ash species impacted • Virtually all tree sizes susceptible • No known natural resistance Based on these facts it is prudent and proactive to prepare for an invasion of EAB in Minnesota.

4. Preparation for EAB • Minnesota Department of Agriculture • EAB readiness team • EAB scientific advisory group • 1st Detector trainings • Ash seed collection program • Systematic sampling strategy • Opportunistic strategy

5. The Minnesota Ash Seed Collection Initiative • Work with the Natural Resource Conservation Service Rose Lake Plant Materials Center in Michigan • Seeds will be stored at the USDA Agricultural Research Service facility in Colorado USDA NRCS

6. Ash seed collection • Goal • Protect the genetic variation of Minnesota’s ash resource by collecting open pollinated seed and creating an ex situ seed bank • Who will collect the seed • Research team • Volunteers

7. Ash Tree Identification - Terms No Petiole Sessile Palmate Opposite Petiole Rachis Alternate Pinnate Petiolate

8. Ash Trees vs. Other Trees • Branching Opposite or Alternate? • Alternate = NOT an Ash • Opposite = Ash, Maple, Dogwood, or Buckeye • Leaf Arrangement Pinnate or Palmate? • Palmate = NOT an Ash • Pinnate = Ash or Boxelder • Number of usual leaflets per leaf? • 3 – 5 leaflets, usually 3 = Boxelder • 5 - 9 leaflets, usually 7 = Ash USDA NRCS

9. Black Ash Leaves are 12-16 inches long with 7-11 pointed-oval, finely-toothed leaflets. Leaflets are smooth dark-green, leaflets tight against rachis Black Ash seed Black ash grows 50-70 feet in height depending on the soil type. USDA NRCS

10. Green Ash Leaflets on short petiole Green Ash tree Green Ash seed USDA NRCS

11. White Ash Leaflet on short petiole White Ash tree Pale underside of leaflet White Ash seed USDA NRCS

12. Black ash White ash Green ash Comparison of black, green and white ash seeds R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

13. Seed collection • Selecting the tree • When to collect • What to collect • How to handle the seed • Packaging • Labeling • Shipping USDA NRCS

14. Selecting the tree • Not all trees produce seed • White and green ash • male & female flowers on separate trees -- dioecious • Black ash • Male and female flowers can be found on the same tree -- monoecious • Flowering at the base of new growth in the spring • From which trees should seed be collected

15. Ash flowers are formed at the base of the new growth each spring. R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

16. The flowers and immature seeds are indicators that seeds will be available in the fall. R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

17. Collect seed from “wild” trees. Landscape trees, in parks, along streets, and in yards are not good candidates. R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

18. Seed collection • When to collect • September through December. Fruit normally ripens August through September but will sometimes remain on the tree until the following spring • What to collect • Collect 1 – 2 cups of fruit (samara) from each tree or group of trees at each site. • Keep samara from each collection site and species separated. • Do not pick samara from the ground

19. Seed collection • How to handle collection • Place harvested seeds into a cloth or paper bag • Label the bag to identify the sample • Complete ash seed collection form and attach to seed bag • Store seeds under cool, dry conditions until shipment • Send samples to USDA-NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center 7472 Stoll Road East Lansing, MI 48823-9420

20. Additional Information • Ash seed collection website – www.ashseed.org • Handout materials • Ash seed collection information • Ash identification Information • Ash seed collection instructions and collection forms

21. Minnesota ash genetic conservation research team • Andrew David – PI, UMN • Mike Benedict – District forester, BIA • David Ellis – Curator, USDA ARS NCGRP • David Heinzen, Director RA, MN DNR • Rick Klevorn, State Silviculturist, MN DNR • Mike Reichenbach, Extension Educator • Kathy Haiby – Field plot coordinator • Egon Humenberger – Assistant Scientist • Julie Hendrickson – Master’s student