Wound Compartmentalization Potential and Borer Damage in Green Ash

Abstract

Green ash trees that exhibited strong Wall 2 compartmentalization of chisel wounds made in the trunk had less wood discoloration associated with ash borer activity than did weak compartmentalizing trees. The wood of weak compartmentalizers was extensively colonized by microorganisms (bacteria and stain fungi) and many such trees were declining. Despite the fact that both strong and weak trees were attacked by borers with equal frequency, strong compartmentalizing trees could withstand the attacks and continue to grow normally. The use of vegetatively propagated cultivars, all of which are strong compartmentalizers, is recommended.