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

Andrew David, Associate ProfessorDepartment of Forest Resources

University of Minnesotaand

Mike Reichenbach, Extension EducatorUniversity of Minnesota

Overview

Minnesota Seed Collection Initiative

Ash tree identification

Seed collection

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.

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

USDA NRCS

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

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

Ash Tree Identification - Terms

Opposite

Alternate

Palmate

Pinnate

Sessile

Petiolate

Petiole

Rachis

NoPetiole

USDA NRCS

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

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 grows 50-70 feet in height depending on the soil type.

Black Ash seed

USDA NRCS

Green Ash

Green Ash seed

Green Ash tree Leaflets on short petiole

USDA NRCS

White Ash

White Ash seed

White Ash tree

Leaflet on short petiole

Pale undersideof leaflet

USDA NRCS

Black ash

Green ashWhite ash

Comparison of black, green and white ash seedsR.P. Karrfalt, 2006

USDA NRCS

Seed collection

Selecting the tree

When to collect

What to collect

How to handle the seed Packaging Labeling Shipping

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

Ash flowers are formed at the base of the new growth each spring.

R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

The flowers and immature seeds are indicators that seeds will be available in the fall.

R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

Collect seed from “wild” trees.

Landscape trees, in parks, along streets, and in yards are not good candidates.

R.P. Karrfalt, 2006

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

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 toUSDA-NRCSRose Lake Plant Materials Center 7472 Stoll RoadEast Lansing, MI 48823-9420

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

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