The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ – In an effort to alert municipalities and their residents about issues invasive pests can cause, John Cambridge, a representative from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, presented information to the town council, and attending residents, on Monday night.

Cambridge discussed the habits of both the Asian Longhorned Beetle, and the Emerald Ash Borer, showing actual specimens of the two species of insect, as well as samples of wood each type had caused damage to.

Cambridge said the Asian Longhorned Beetle found its way to the United States in the 1990’s through the ports from China, and was spotted in Brooklyn the same year. From there, the pest was spotted in New Jersey locations including Jersey City, Carteret, and Linden.

“We constantly have scares of it,” said Cambridge about the insect. “People know what the signs and symptoms are. It attacks most hardwood trees. You’re specifically watching out for Maples, Poplars, and Elms.”

Adult Asian Longhorned Beetles are approximately one-quarter inch to one and one-quarter inch long. Their bodies are black with what spots, and they have long antennae, approximately one and one-half to two and one-half the size of their body lengths.

The beetle chews oval and round pits into the bark, and lays an egg into the pit. The invasiveness can cause sap to ooze from the tree, and an accumulation of sawdust.

When exiting the tree, the adult beetles create a three-quarter inch hole or larger.

The species gives birth to one generation per year, with each female able to lay about 35 to 90 eggs per lifetime.

According to information released by the United States Department of Agriculture, and distributed at the meeting, the only way to eradicate the beetle is to destroy infected trees, and quarantine transportation of firewood.

Cambridge said the insect was last spotted in New Jersey in 2006, yet the public must remain vigilant, because the Asian Longhorned Beetle has been spotted in other states.

“We always have to be on the lookout,” said Cambridge. “The primary mode of transportation is by bringing firewood into the state. The foresters in New Jersey cannot sell in New York and Pennsylvania, but they can sell to us.”

Cambridge said it’s on the public to not purchase wood from outside of the state.

“Camping grounds need to let people know they can’t bring firewood,” said Cambridge.

The Department of Agriculture requests if an Asian Longhorned Beetle is spotted, to collect the beetle in a jar, freeze it, and contact the State Department of Agriculture, State Plant Regulatory Official or State Entomologist; or U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Forest Service, County Cooperative Extension Office, and State Forester or Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, residents can call (866) 702-9938.

About the Emerald Ash Borer, Cambridge said, “It has the potential to be as devastating as the Gypsy Moth.”

Of eradicating the pest, Cambridge said, “We have a 100 percent kill rate, but it will use up the tree until it’s dead.”

Cambridge said the Emerald Ash Borer tends to gravitate towards Ash Trees, the seventh most important tree in New Jersey. It girdles the tree, as if slicing the bark like a pocket knife. Trees attacked by the Emerald Ash Borer also have a strong prevalence of Woodpeckers.

Like the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Cambridge said, “It [Emerald Ash Borer] follows highways or campgrounds.”

“We do take our trees very seriously,” Mayor Helen Le Frois told Cambridge, indicating that the Town of Newton holds a Tree City USA designation, and also has a Shade Tree Commission within the town. “It’s a matter of communication and information dissemination.”

In other business:

·      Le Frois presented a proclamation to resident Bob Caffrey for his years of service and volunteerism to the Town of Newton, including the Planning Board. Caffrey received an ovation from the meeting attendees. He and his wife are retiring to Florida, to join members of the family who already reside there. “The entire Caffrey Family is going to be missed,” Le Frois said. “You are one of our treasured volunteers.”

·      Resident Ray Storms alerted the council to a resident in his neighborhood who burns wood with sap in his Chiminea. Last summer, storms said the smoke it created caused foggy conditions, and he and his neighbors could not keep their windows open because of the smoke, and its odor. “We should not have to shut our windows in the middle of the summertime,” said Storms. Storms said the neighbor has once again resumed burning. Members of the council said they would contact Fire Marshal, Joe Inga.

·      Milling and paving will continue in certain areas of town through Saturday, June 16, weather-depending. Milling and paving started on Moran Street on Monday, June 11, and is expected to continue through Thursday, June 14. Detours and delays are expected. Milling and paving commences on Merriam Avenue on Friday, June 15, and Monday, June 18, weather depending. The Main Street parking lot is scheduled for milling and paving on Saturday, June 16.