The National Ash Seed Collection Initiative

1. The National Ash SeedCollection Initiative Saving the future

2. Overview • America’s ash trees (Fraxinus) are being destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer. • Killed millions of ash trees in Ohio and surrounding states since 2002, as well as Ontario and Quebec • To date, no attempt at containment or eradication has been successful • Research is ongoing, but EAB continuesto spread

3. Overview • If containment is not possible, ash seeds will be stored until they can be re-established in the future • X-rayed to ensure viability • Preserved in secure cryogenic vaults • One day, these seeds will form the geneticbase used to return the ash tree to theAmerican landscape

4. Public Enemy # 1 Agrilus Planipennis

5. About EAB • Native range is eastern Russia, Northern China, Japan, Korea • Never seen in US before 2002 • Lays eggs in bark of ash trees • Developing larvae devour phloem layer,preventing tree from transporting nutrients • Leaves unique D-shaped exit hole • Adult is only a half-inch long, and is a dark metallic green • Lifecycle usually takes one year, though it cantake as long as two years during the first infestationof a healthy tree

6. How did EAB get Here? • Can never know for sure • Most likely inside ash wood used for packing material or shipping palettes

7. How did EAB get Here?

8. Where is EAB in Ohio?

9. What is Being Done? • Several areas of research: • Introducing predatory wasps from China • Hybrids of American ash species with Manchurian Ash • Some insecticide treatments show promise, though success is not assured • Federal and State quarantines designed to limit movement of ash wood

10. What is Being Done? • Several areas of research: • Introducing predatory wasps from China • Hybrids of American ash species with Manchurian Ash • Some insecticide treatments show promise, though success is not assured • Federal and State quarantines designed to limit movement of ash wood • And the last line of defense…

11. The Ash Seed Collection Initiative • Sponsored by the Rose Lake Plant Materials Center in East Lansing, Michigan, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation • Rose Lake is part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Program • Ash seeds delivered to the Rose Lake PMC will be: • Processed by PMC staff • X-rayed by the US Forest Service • Stored in the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation

12. Volunteer Seed Collecting • Throughout the year • Identify and locate ash trees • Your own land • Local parks • Public spaces • Fall (September – December) • Collect mature seeds in paper bags • Label bags with site information • Fill out collection form for each bag • Return to local Soil & Water Conservation District office

13. Ash Tree Identification • Terms used to describe the branching and leaf configurationof ash trees: Ash has 5-9 leaflets Compound leaf (Petiolate) Opposite branching

14. Ash Tree Identification • Ash look alikes (opposite branched): Walnut Dogwood Box Elder Hickory

15. Ash Tree Identification • Ash look alikes: Hophornbeam Alternate branching

16. Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 60-70 feet at maturity Green Ash seeds 5-9 leaflets on short petiole, round twigs Found in moist or poorly drained soil Furrowed, diamond-shaped bark

17. Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica

18. Black Ash 50-70 feet at maturity Fraxinus nigra Black Ash seeds Found in wetlands and poorly drained areas 7-11 dark green leaflets, finely toothed, no petiole Fissured, shaggy bark

19. Black Ash Fraxinus nigra

20. White Ash 60-80 feet at maturity Fraxinus americana White Ash seeds 5-9 leaflets on short petiole, underside paler than top Usually found in upland sites Thick fissured bark

21. White Ash Fraxinus americana

22. Blue Ash Fraxinus quadrangulata 60-80 feet at maturity Blue Ash seeds Light scaly bark, gets shingled with age 7-11 leaflets on short petiole, 4-sided twigs Found in well-drained upland sites

23. Blue Ash Fraxinus quadrangulata

24. Pumpkin Ash Fraxinus profunda 40-70 feet at maturity; seen up to 130 feet Pumpkin Ash seeds Found in moist, swampy sites that remain wet 7-11 leaflets on short petiole; paler and hairy underneath Distinctive shape

25. Pumpkin Ash Fraxinusprofunda

26. Seeds • Each seed is contained inside a wing-like packet called a samara • Protects seed • Provides nutrients during germination • Allows seed to become airborne • Samaras hang in groups called panicles

27. Which Tree to Collect? • Trees with ripe fruit – the samaras are brown • If samaras are green, not ready to pick • Make sure you can reach the seed safely • Don’t hurt yourself! • Get permission before going onprivate land • Wild trees are preferable, but even seedsfrom ash planted by landscapers maybe collected

28. Collection Methods • Pick entire panicle from branch (if within arm’s reach) • Use a pole pruner • Cut the branch, or use the hook to bend it down • Shake the tree if it’s small enough • Throw a rope over a branch, then pull the rope to shake the branch • Lay a tarp on the ground first • Use a slingshot • Lay a tarp under the tree and leave it for a few days • Place rocks in the corner to anchor it Use your imagination, but be careful!

29. How Many Seeds to Collect? • At least two quarts per tree • about 3-4 inches in a full-sizepaper grocery bag 3 – 4”

30. Collection Supplies • Paper bags • Brown grocery bags work great, and can be folded flat • Brown lunch bags will work too • Don’t use plastic bags – the seeds will overheat and die • Sharpie • Collection form • Camera, if you have one • Download collection form at http://www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/pmc.html • The easy way: http://www.ashseed.org

31. The Collection Form Plant Information – type of ash tree Collection Information – you Site Information – location of ash tree Instructions

32. The Collection Procedure • Fill out the Collection Information section • Date of collection • Your name • Your affiliation (Master Gardener, School, Metropark, etc.) • Address information • Phone and email • Was seed collected on tribal land? • If Yes, name of tribe • Include tribal seed in non-tribecollection?

33. The Collection Procedure • Label your collection bags with your collection information Your name and the date, plus a unique ID number, is sufficient

34. The Collection Procedure • Gently remove the panicle from the branch • Remember, if shaking or pruning, spread a tarp on the ground

35. The Collection Procedure • Place the panicle in the collection bag • Two quarts (3 – 4 inches) total;no need to fill it up!

36. The Collection Procedure • You may find it helpful to put the seeds in a tote bin during collection • More stable in wind andon uneven groundthan a paper bag • Transfer seeds to yourcollection bag whenyou have enough

37. The Collection Procedure • Then take one twig, 6 – 9 inches long • Include terminal bud • Several leaves or leaf scars Terminal bud Leaf scar

38. The Collection Procedure • If you can, take a picture of the tree • The entire tree • Close up of the trunk

39. The Collection Procedure • Fill out the Plant Information section when your collection bagcontains enough seeds • Select the type of ash tree • Was seed taken from a single tree? • Select YES if you know you tookseeds from one tree only • If you cannot guarantee seeds arefrom one tree, select NO • Select likely type of ash tree • Native – tree growing wild in open • Planted – from a nursery

40. The Collection Procedure • Fill out the Collection Site Information section • State, County, and Township where ash tree is located • Range – survey range of ash tree; leave blank if you don’t know • GPS Coordinates – latitude and longitude of ash tree (if you don’t have a GPS, you can use Google Earth or leave this blank)

41. The Collection Procedure • Put the collection form in the bag with the seeds and staple it shut.

42. Post Collection Handling • Keep bags out of heat (over 90° F) • Do not store in car • Separate the bags to promote drying • Store in cool, dry place • Deliver the bags to:Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District Office1328 Dublin Road, Suite 101Columbus, Ohio 43215(614) 486-9613see Mary Ann Core

43. Links • Rose Lake Plant Materials Center – collection form and instructions • http://www.ashseed.org/ • Natural Resources Conservation Service • http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ • Emerald Ash Borer – tons of EAB information • http://www.emeraldashborer.info • Ohio Dept. of Agriculture EAB page • http://www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/eab/eab-index.aspx • Ohio State University EAB Outreach page • http://ashalert.osu.edu/default.asp • Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District Office • http://www.franklinswcd.org/ • Franklin County Extension Office • http://franklin.osu.edu/

44. Questions