August Is Tree Check Month

canstockphoto5389574

Make the most out of that stroll in the park, fun in the backyard, or hike in the woods. Keep an eye out for a devastating tree-killing pest.

Mark your calendars for this August and help watch over our nation's hardwoods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging people to take ten minutes to get outside and take a closer look at their trees.

August is a peak time of emergence for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). Since its discovery in 1996, the invasive pest has destroyed more than 80,000 trees in Massachussetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Ohio. But all states are at risk.

Early detection is critical to stopping the spread of the ALB. Can you spare 10 minutes?

1. LOOK UP

Stand back and look at the top of the tree. Do you see any dead or dying branches?

2. LOOK IT OVER

Now focus on the tree trunk. See the beetle? See any dime-sized exit holes, or shallow scars in the bark?

3. LOOK DOWN

Do you see any sawdust-like shavings at the tree's base or on the branches? That's a sign the ALB has been busy eating.

If the ALB is allowed to spread, 70 percent of your community's tree canopy could be lost.

Keep our nation's trees strong and healthy for future generations. To report signs, call 1-866-702-9938 or report online at www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com .