IT HASN’T SHOWN UP YET IN NEW MEXICO…BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT A PEST THAT’S WIPING OUT ASH TREES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY…THE EMERALD ASH BORER. ALBUQUERQUE CITY FORESTER JORAN VIERS SAYS IT’S HOPED IT WON’T BECOME A HUGE PROBLEM IN THE WESTERN U-S.
HE SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF NATURAL BARRIERS BLOCK THE BEETLE FROM ADVANCING IN NEW MEXICO, INCLUDING MOUNTAIN RANGES, DEEP RIVER VALLEYS, AND ARID AREAS.
VIERS SAYS ASH TREES PROBABLY COMPRISE 15-PERCENT OR MORE OF ALBUQUERQUE’S TREE CANOPY. BUT HE SAYS FEWER ASH TREES ARE NOW BEING PLANTED…DUE TO CONCERNS OVER THE EMERALD ASH BORER.
