If you’re walking the mowed paths of the West Meadow at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, you may notice a few Trail Closure signs. These signs have been added because Maine Audubon is experiencing a change among the trees that many other places in the country are also seeing.
As visitors and readers of our various communications may already know, Gilsland Farm has hosted various studies, surveys, and workshops, most in partnership with the Maine Forest Service with federal assistance from the USDA’s Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Ash Protection Collaboration Across Waponahkik (APCAW), to monitor and respond to the spread of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) into Maine since its earliest detection here. The site has been closely watched by various experts since EAB was detected in 2021. Some of the ash trees at Gilsland Farm are part of a federal research project using systemic chemical injection, bio-control parasitoid release, seed collection, and monitoring.
Gilsland Farm has several stands of ash trees across the 65-acre property, and one of the most notable is found at the southwest corner. This area has several tall ash trees that tower over a beautiful wooden viewing blind. Over the past few years these trees have experienced a significant decline in health due to EAB. Some fifty trees in the area have begun to show signs of EAB infestation in the form of blonding on the trunks, thinner canopies, and brittle limbs.
At our June field survey with our partners from the Maine Forest Service, APHIS, UMaine, and APCAW, we noticed rapid ash decline due to EAB in the southwest corner where few signs were noted in late 2024, thus cancelling proposed additional chemical treatment. This area will now be a study area for lingering (resilient) ash.
Ash trees by nature quickly become brittle structurally, when in decline, with increased risk. Several of these compromised trees have also been engulfed by the invasive plant Asiatic Bittersweet. This vine grows up the tree trunk girdling it, making the tree more susceptible to breakage and uprooting.
For these reasons, Maine Audubon has decided to close off this section of trail as a precaution. The organization values the safety of all visitors and asks that individuals respect the posted signage while we work to find a solution for the growing concern in the area. Maine Audubon staff will continue to update the public as plans are made for the trees and the future of the surrounding trails. EAB ash decline and monitoring will continue to evolve and Maine Audubon will provide more information as it becomes available. For more information on trail happenings at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, please reach out to the land steward at lthibault@maineaudubon.org.
For more on Emerald Ash Borer, visit maineaudubon.org/EAB.
