Emerald Ash Borer Found in South Brunswick, Township Reports

South Brunswick, NJ - We warned you the emerald ash borer is a looming problem for central New Jersey. And now the beetle, which can wipe out entire ash tree populations, has been found in South Brunswick, the Township announced Monday.

With news of the finding, the Township Council has approved a township-wide street side and park tree inventory, with the goal being to locate the quantity, condition, and size of all the ash trees located on public property. Part of the plan may include removing ash trees and planting them with another type of tree.

This inventory will help South Brunswick come up with a mitigation plan for the ash borer, an invasive insect which feeds on the inner bark of ash trees. The beetle, which is not native to New Jersey, can be devastating: Very high, if not total, mortality of ash trees can be expected, with tree death usually occurring within 2-4 years as the bug populations rises, South Brunswick officials said. The ash borer has been found in nearby Cranbury and also in Moorestown, where it is estimated in the next 5-8 years all ash trees may be dead.

Residents with any other questions and/or concerns pertaining to the Emerald Ash Borer and trees in their neighborhood can contact the Township Tree Expert via the Public Works Department by emailing sbtrees@sbtnj.net or by calling (732)329-4000 ext. 7278.