Asian Longhorned Beetle and its Host Trees

United States Department of AgricultureForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry NA–PR–05–12September 2012
Asian Longhorned Beetle and it

Bruce L. Parker and Margaret Skinner 

Entomology Research Laboratory 

University of Vermont 

Burlington, Vermont 

Cover photo: Melody Keena, U.S. Forest Service 
Table of Contents

Introduction.........................................................................2Description of the Asian Longhorned Beetle.......................5

Adults ............................................................................6

Anoplophora glabripennis form nobilis ...................7

Common Asian Longhorned Beetle Look-alikes ......8

Egg Sites ........................................................................9Eggs .............................................................................13Early Stage Larvae........................................................14Late Stage Larvae and Pupae.......................................15Exit Holes.....................................................................18Frass ............................................................................20

Maturation Feeding.....................................................21

Other Signs of Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestation...22

Asian Longhorned Beetle in Urban Communities .............24Asian Longhorned Beetle in Forests ..................................25Host Trees..........................................................................26

Preferred Host Trees....................................................27Rare Host Trees............................................................45

Reforestation After Asian Longhorned Beetle...................60

Acknowledgements ...........................................................62References.........................................................................64

Massa

Adult Asian 
Introduction

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has been devastating urban forests in the Northeast since it was first detected in New York City in 1996. Efforts to eradicate this pest have resulted in the removal of tens of thousands of trees in several northeastern communities in the United States and Canada (map 1). The Asian longhorned beetle has been successfully eradicated from Illinois and several areas of New York and New Jersey. While the eradication battle continues on several other urban fronts, there are growing concerns that this invasive pest could enter natural and managed forests of Eastern North America. This pictorial guide provides basic information for identifying the Asian longhorned beetle, its injury characteristics, and its common host trees. The guide will help users detect the beetle in both urban and forested settings. 

Removal of an AsMassachusetts. 
")

")

")

Ontario, Canada Ontario, Canada

First detected in

Toronto in 2003

First detected in 

Toronto in 2003 

Illinois Illinois

First detected in Chicago in 1998

First detected in Chicago in 1998

Declared eradicated in 2008 Declared eradicated in 2008

Ohio Ohio

First detected inTate Townshipon June 17, 2011

First detected in Tate Township on June 17, 2011 

Map 1. Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestations in North America (as of July 2012) 
Closeup of adult beetle showing small hairs on the legs and tarsi. 

Photo: Jennifer Forman-Orth 
Description of the Asian Longhorn

The adult Asian longhorned beetle is a large, “showy” insect that can only be Detection of the beetle often depends on the ability to identify the signs of idevelopment in or on trees, some of which can be seen throughout the yearthe insect’s life cycle and descriptions of the signs of damage left behind on t

Photo: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 

Male Asian longhorned beetles have long antennae (left); antennae on females are body (right). 
Adults 

Adults are glossy black with irregular white spots on the wing covers. Body slength, not including the very long black and white antennae. Freshly emergthe form of small hairs, especially prevalent on the legs. Adults are visible befrost in the fall, and are often in the tree canopy. 

Photo: Melody Keena 

Male adult beetle. Beetles mating on the limb o
Anoplophora glabripennis form 

Photo: Michael Bohne Photo: Mich

A form of the Asian longhorned beetle with yellowish spots (A. glabripennis form noAmerican infestations, but it is generally rare. 
Common Asian Longhorned Beetle “

These insects are commonly found in North America and are often misiden

(all insect images are actual size). 

♀

♂

The whitespotted pine sawyer is a wood borer of conifer trees. Adults have a characteristic single white spot at the base of the wing covers and are often reported as Asian longhorned beetle in the spring/summer. 

The western conifer seed bug feeds on conifer seeds and can be found inside buildings during the onset of cold weather in the fall. Adults have a flattened, leaflike expansion on the hind legs. Adults will give off a foul odor when handled. The western conifer seed bug is commonly reported as Asian longhorned beetle in the fall. 

The broadneck root boon roots of hardwood tAdults are visible from through June and have markings. 
Egg Sites

Egg laying begins soon after adults emerge in mid-summer. Adult females chevery egg they lay on a tree. The shape of the pits will vary based on the thiccircular, to oval, to just a slit on thin-barked trees. Mandible (teeth) marks arthe oviposition pit. The color of the pit depends on the host tree and age of are easier to see because the inner bark contrasts with the outer bark. The pundamaged outer bark with age. Bark splits and callus form around the pits identified for several years with careful inspection. 

Photo: Jennifer Forman-Orth 

Fresh egg sites on a downed red maple branch. Closeup of an old (
Photo: Dennis Haugen, U.S. Forest S

Closeup of oviposition pits showing mandible marks on the margin of the pits (indicwith white arrows). 
Heavily attacked trees showing fresh and old oviposition pits. Left: paper birch in the United States; center: sugar maple in the United States; righ
 

 Mandible mark

s 

Bark can split and form callus around oviposition pits over time. Distinctive mandiblmarks are usually visible on the margins of the callus.
Eggs 

Once the pit is chewed, the female inserts her ovipositor and lays the egg betree, creating an oval stain. The egg is roughly the size of a grain of rice, milkcucumber. Yellowing as it matures, the egg typically hatches 10-15 days after visible when the bark is peeled back. Females sometimes chew a pit without 

Photo: R. Anson Eaglin 

Actual Egg Size 

Two eggs removed from the host tree. Egg and stain made visible aft

oviposition site with an arch p
Early Stage Larvae 

Newly hatched Asian longhorned beetle larvae feed on the phloem and outecouple of larval stages. This early feeding produces sawdust/excrement (frasaway from the egg site. The frass and tunneling are only visible when the baoviposition pit. 

Early larval feeding on the phloem made visible after bark removal at the ovipositio
Late Stage Larvae and Pupa

Late stage larvae turn and tunnel into the sapwood, creating an oval sapwoocan reach 21⁄2 inches in length and are creamy white in color, with a brown haof the dorsal side of the thorax (neck). Late stage larvae feed on the sapwoowithin the tree. In some cases, larvae return to the outer sapwood, creating the bark is removed. Frass from larval feeding may protrude from the egg sitfeeding is complete, the larva chews a chamber where pupation occurs. The chambers are only visible when the tree is completely dissected. 

Photo: Kevin Dodds 

Bark removal at the oviposition site reveals a sapwood Various late stage laentrance hole of a late stage larva. 
Photo: PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources 

Pupa. 

Tabletop display showing intern

Cross section showing an adult beetle exiting the beetle development within the tree after pupation. 

Photo: Michael Bohne 
Maple split o

Asian longho

Photo: Tom De
Exit Holes

After pupation the new adult beetles begin to tunnel out of the tree, creatinvary in size and are generally slightly smaller than a dime, but large enough tpencil. The complete life cycle of the Asian longhorned beetle, from egg to mdepending on climate. Exit holes are visible on the tree for several years and holes are more difficult to see on the tree, but can usually be located with ca

Exit hole on the limb of a birch tree. 

Photo: Michael Bohne 

Photo: R. Anson Eaglin Photo: R. Anson Eagl

Fresh exit holes and old egg sites on maple. Exit holes on dead maple trees. 
Photo: R. Anson Eaglin 

Photo: Nathan Siegert, U.S. Forest Service 

Photos of callused exit holes. 
Frass

Photo: Kenneth Law 

Frass from larval feeding will protrude from the egg sites or bark cracks and will often collect in branch crotches or at the base of the tree. 
Maturation Feeding

After emerging from the tree, adult Asian longhorned beetles disperse, feedtwigs before seeking a mate. This maturation feeding causes distinct injury aused to help detect the insect. Leaves attached to trees and sometimes thosadult feeding. Maturation feeding on leaves is easy to detect by looking strai

Maturation feeding on leaves and twigs by adult Asian longhorned beetles. 
Other Signs of Asian Longhorned Beet

Photo: Fred Borman 

Tunneling from beetle development Trees stressed by Asian longhorned beegreatly weakens the structure of the infestation may show early fall coloratiotree, which can result in breakage of the This infested sugar maple started to sholimbs, crown, or bole. fall color in early August. 
Old

sapwood entrance holes

 Fr

esh egg site

 Old e

gg site 

Old exit hole 

Trees respond to injury by forming large calluses or areas of missing bark. Old egg sholes are usually visible upon closer inspection. 
Asian Longhorned Beetle in Urban C

All six unique North American populations of the Asian longhorned beetle began in urban areas with industries involved in importing. Subsequent satellite populations have often been attributed to movement of infested material. These urban populations of the Asian longhorned beetle tend to disperse slowly. Infestations usually begin in the crown of the tree. Adults often re-infest the same host tree from which they emerged. Injury can often be seen on the lower bole and exposed roots of these heavily infested trees. The tremendous buildup of an infestation can go on for years and eventually kill the tree or weaken it to a point where structural failure occurs. When developing survey strategies in urban areas, prioritize efforts and focus on areas of industry where there is known import/export activity that involves wooden pallets, spools, crates, or other wood packaging materials. Also focus on municipal collection yards where there is disposal of tree waste and/or solid wood packing material. 

Suloc
Asian Longhorned Beetle in Fo

Until recently, Asian longhorned beetle infestations in North America were liwere relatively isolated from natural or managed forests. Unfortunately in Msuccessfully migrated into and infested closed-canopy forests. Observations unique infestation patterns and damage indicators. 

•	 In New England forests, Asian longhorned beetles were found 

only in maple, even though other host genera were present.

•	 The beetle attacked larger trees more often than smaller, 

overtopped trees. 

•	 The beetle was readily dispersed throughout the forest, 

attacking trees in the interior of stands.

•	 The beetle attacked red maple more often than other maple 

species when multiple maple species were present.

•	 The beetle killed few trees outright; however, trees had serious 

damage along their boles and in their crowns, and were considered likely to succumb to structural failure.

•	 Signs of infestation were observed more readily in tree 

crowns.

When developing survey strategies in forested areas, prioritize efforts and fof large, dominant trees that are preferred host genera of Asian longhornepresent. Pay close attention to trees with signs of structural failure and sur

Foreslongh
Host Trees 

The 13 host genera highlighted in this guide were selected based on current China and the United States, and host abundance data acquired from the Asprograms in North America. 

Preferred Host Trees

Acer negundo, box elder ............................................. 27

Acer nigrum, black maple............................................ 28Acer pseudoplatanus, sycamore maple....................... 29Acer rubrum, red maple .............................................. 30Acer saccharinum, silver maple................................... 31Acer saccharum, sugar maple...................................... 32Acer platanoides, Norway maple ................................ 33Aesculus flava, yellow buckeye ................................... 34Aesculus glabra, Ohio buckeye.................................... 35Aesculus hippocastanum, common horsechestnut..... 36

Betula nigra, river birch............................................... 37

Betula papyrifera, paper birch .................................... 38Betula populifolia, gray birch....................................... 39Salix alba, white willow ............................................... 40

Salix babylonica, weeping willow ................................ 41

Salix nigra, black willow .............................................. 42

Ulmus americana, American elm ................................ 43

Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese elm..................................... 44

Albizia julibrissin, 

Celtis occidentalisCercidiphyllum jap

Fraxinus americanFraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus pennsylv

Koelreuteria pani

Platanus occidentPlatanus x acerifo

Populus alba, wh

Populus deltoidesPopulus grandide

Populus nigra varSorbus aucuparia

NOTE: The species lof Asian longhorned potential hosts. 
Box ELDER 

Acer negundo L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 3-7 leaflets arranged in two 

rows along an axis (leaf stalk) 

•	 Coarsely saw toothed •	 2.0-4.8” long 

Twigs 

•	 Purplish green to brown •	 Waxy film on new growth •	 Buds greenish to reddish with silky hairs 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in autumn •	 Approximately 1.5” long •	 V-shaped wings when paired •	 Appears in dense clusters 

Bark 

•	 Gray brown, ridges and furrows 
BLACK MAPLE 

Acer nigrum Michx. f. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, simple •	 3-5 shallow lobes •	 Edge smooth between points 

Twigs 

•	 Brown, shiny, smooth •	 Similar to sugar maple; however, 

older twigs have waxy coating

•	 Buds dark brown, cone shaped, sharply pointed 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in autumn •	 U-shaped wings when paired •	 Approximately 1” long 

Bark 

•	 Gray brown •	 Becomes deeply furrowed with age 
SyCAMoRE MAPLE 

Acer pseudoplatanus L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, simple, 3-5 lobes •	 Dark green above, greenish white beneath •	 2.4-5.5” long 

Twigs 

•	 Smooth, gray brown •	 Slightly 4 sided •	 Buds are greenish and slightly pointed 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in autumn •	 1.25-2” long, U shaped when paired 

Bark 

•	 Grayish, reddish brown to orangish •	 Irregular, rectangular scales 
RED MAPLE 

Acer rubrum L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, simple, 3 (occasionally 5) lobes •	 Medium green above, silvery beneath •	 Leaf stalks often red, 2-6” long 

Twigs 

•	 Greenish red brown, smooth, shiny •	 Buds reddish green, blunt •	 Red flower buds in clusters 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in late spring •	 Green, becoming red •	 Approximately 0.75” long 

Bark 

•	 Dark gray, rough •	 Scaly, ridged, furrowed 
SiLVER MAPLE 

Acer saccharinum L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, simple, 5 lobes •	 Deep sinuses, sharply pointed lobes •	 Bright green above, silvery white beneath •	 5.5-7.9” long 

Twigs 

•	 Red to brown, smooth, shiny •	 Buds reddish brown •	 Flower buds often in dense, compact clusters 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in late spring •	 1.5-2” long, wings widely divergent when paired 

Bark 

•	 Gray to gray brown, scaly, ridged, furrowed 
SUgAR MAPLE 

Acer saccharum Marsh. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, simple •	 Usually 5 lobes, rarely 3 •	 Edge entire or sparingly wavy toothed •	 3-8” long 

Twigs 

•	 Brown, shiny, smooth •	 Buds gray brown, cone shaped, sharply pointed 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in autumn •	 U-shaped wings when paired •	 Approximately 1” long 

Bark 

•	 Gray brown •	 Becomes deeply furrowed with age 
NoRwAy MAPLE 

Acer platanoides L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, simple, 5 lobes •	 Lustrous dark green •	 Milky sap visible when leaf stalk broken from twig •	 3.2-6.3” long 

Twigs 

•	 Stout, shiny, olive brown •	 Buds greenish maroon, oval to round 

Fruit 

•	 Samara, matures in autumn •	 Wide-spreading wings, almost parallel •	 1.5-2” long, shiny 

Bark 

•	 Grayish black with ridges and shallow furrows 
yELLow BUCKEyE 

Aesculus flava Ait. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 5 leaflets that originate from a common point •	 Leaflets are finely toothed •	 Medium to dark green •	 4-6” long 

Twigs 

•	 Thick, ashy gray to orangish brown, smooth •	 No foul odor when bruised 

Fruit 

•	 Capsule with golden-brown coating •	 Smooth bumpy exterior (no spines) •	 One to three nutlike seeds (“buckeyes”) 

Bark 

•	 Young bark is smooth and gray brown •	 Mature bark breaks into flaky, rectangular plates 
oHio BUCKEyE 

Aesculus glabra Willd. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 5 leaflets that originate from a common point •	 Leaflets are finely toothed •	 Medium to dark green •	 4-6” long 

Twigs 

•	 Thick, ashy gray to red brown, smooth •	 Disagreeable odor when bruised 

Fruit 

•	 Capsule with greenish-brown coating •	 Round with a spiny cover •	 Single brownish-black seed (“buckeye”) 

Bark 

•	 Ashy gray, thick, deeply fissured, and scaly 
CoMMoN HoRSECHESTNUT 

Aesculus hippocastanum L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 5-7 leaflets that originate from a common point •	 Leaflets double toothed, often long pointed •	 Medium to dark green •	 4.0-9.8” long 

Twigs 

•	 Very thick, reddish yellow to grayish brown •	 Smooth or slightly downy •	 Buds large, dark reddish brown, varnished with sticky gum 

Fruit 

•	 Capsule, matures in autumn •	 Coating is greenish light brown, spiny •	 Capsule contains one (occasionally two) blackish seeds 

Bark 

•	 Dark gray to brown, orangish inner bark •	 Bark peels in plates and wide strips on mature trees 
RiVER BiRCH 

Betula nigra L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, double toothed •	 Diamond to oval shaped •	 Wedge-shaped leaf base, 1.2-3.0” long 

Twigs 

•	 Light reddish brown •	 Slender, often with minute hairs •	 Buds chestnut brown, slightly hairy 

Fruit 

•	 Small winged nutlet, maturing in spring •	 Arranged in tight, erect, cylindrical clusters •	 The only spring-fruiting birch 

Bark 

•	 Cream, salmon, orange brown, or cinnamon brown •	 Peeling and deeply furrowed, broken plate-like scales 
PAPER BiRCH 

Betula papyrifera Marsh. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, oval shaped •	 Double toothed •	 Dark green above, pale yellow green below •	 2-5.2” long 

Twigs 

•	 Smooth to lightly grainy texture •	 Reddish brown •	 Many small, raised white spots on surface 

Fruit 

•	 Small winged nutlet •	 Arranged in tight, drooping, cylindrical clusters 

Bark 

•	 Chalky white and peeling into thin paper-like layers •	 Thin to wide horizontal black lines 
gRAy BiRCH

Betula populifolia Marsh. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, triangular shape, almost straight base •	 Margins with double row of two different sized teeth •	 Dark green, papery texture, rough on upper 

surface, smooth on lower surface

Twigs 

•	 Branchlets spreading and slender •	 Orange brown to gray •	 Scattered pale, warty glands on surface 

Fruit 

•	 Cones are 0.75” long •	 Contain many hairy 3-lobed seeds •	 Cones are singular and drooping 

Bark 

•	 Thin and smooth •	 Dull grayish to chalky white •	 Noticeable triangular black patches at bases of branches 
wHiTE wiLLow 

Salix alba L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, lance shaped •	 Bright green above, silvery green beneath •	 Finely toothed 

Twigs 

•	 Slender, light yellow to golden brown •	 Smooth and shiny or dull and covered with fine silky hairs •	 Bitter to taste 

Fruit 

•	 Two-valved capsule, maturing in late spring •	 Capsule contains cottony seed •	 Hairless and light brown 

Bark 

•	 Golden brown to medium brown, corky •	 Ridged and furrowed 
wEEPiNg wiLLow 

Salix babylonica L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, lance shaped, finely toothed •	 Dark green above and grayish below •	 Smooth, 2.4-7.1” long 

Twigs 

•	 Reddish brown to brown, smooth •	 Distinctive weeping habit 

Fruit 

•	 Capsules, maturing in May-June •	 Oval, green 

Bark 

•	 Dark brown to black •	 Heavily furrowed and ridged 
BLACK wiLLow 

Salix nigra Marsh. Leaves 

•	 Narrowly lance shaped, long pointed, finely toothed •	 Shiny green above and whitish beneath •	 3-6” long 

Twigs 

•	 Purplish green to pale orange brown •	 Slender and smooth •	 Buds reddish brown or yellowish 

Fruit 

•	 Capsule, approximately 0.25” long, oval to cone shaped •	 Capsules arranged in long clusters •	 Matures in late spring 

Bark 

•	 Dark brown to nearly black •	 Deep furrows, jagged scaly ridges 
AMERiCAN ELM 

Ulmus americana L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, double toothed •	 Dark green, rough, with short hairs •	 Unequally rounded at leaf base, 2.7-6.0” long 

Twigs 

•	 Light red brown, slender •	 Smooth or slightly hairy •	 Buds light reddish brown 

Fruit 

•	 Disc-shaped samara, maturing in late spring •	 Approximately 0.5” long •	 Notched at end, fringed with hairs 

Bark 

•	 Brown to dark gray with alternating whitish buff color •	 Often scaly, with deep intersecting ridges •	 Young bark has a corky feeling 
CHiNESE ELM 

Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, oval shaped, double toothed •	 Unequally rounded at leaf base •	 Dark green; smooth above; soft, short hairs beneath •	 1-2.5” long 

Twigs 

•	 Gray brown •	 Slender and slightly hairy •	 Buds reddish brown, oval, and pointed 

Fruit 

•	 Disc-shaped samara, maturing in late summer •	 Rounded and notched •	 Lime green, maturing to gray brown 

Bark 

•	 Mottled; peeling in irregular orange, green, and gray patches 
MiMoSA, SiLKTREE 

Albizia julibrissin Durazz. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, divided twice •	 Dark green; sometimes with soft, short hairs •	 18-30 pairs of leaflets 

Twigs 

•	 Slender, greenish at first; gray brown at maturity •	 Have many lenticels (pores), smooth, angled •	 Buds are rounded and brownish 

Fruit 

•	 Pods, light straw to gray brown in color and thin •	 Maturing in September-October •	 Usually persists through winter 

Bark 

•	 Smooth, gray brown 
HACKBERRy

Celtis occidentalis L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, single toothed •	 Base unequally rounded •	 Bright green above, paler beneath •	 2.4-3.5” long 

Twigs 

•	 Slender, light olive brown to reddish brown •	 Often zigzag between buds •	 Buds are small, chestnut brown, downy 

Fruit 

•	 Fleshy and berry like, ripening in autumn •	 Dark red to blackish purple 

Bark 

•	 Grayish brown with corky warts or ridges 
KATSURA TREE 

Cercidiphyllum japonicum Leaves 

•	 Two forms, 1-4” long •	 Juvenile form (pictured above): opposite, 

egg shaped with a heart-shaped base, finely toothed 

•	 Mature form (pictured below): single leaf on 

spurred shoot, heart shaped, finely toothed

Twigs 

•	 Thin, brown, opposite buds 

Fruit 

•	 Inconspicuous small green flowers in early spring •	 Clusters of small green pea-like pods 

Bark 

•	 Brown, older bark shaggy •	 Usually grows with multiple trunks 
wHiTE ASH 

Fraxinus americana L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 5-9 leaflets arranged in two rows along an 

axis (leaf stalk) 

•	 Shallow teeth near tips or on entire leaf •	 Dark green above, paler green below •	 7.9-11.8” long 

Twigs 

•	 Stout, gray to greenish brown •	 Buds rusty to blackish brown •	 Smiling leaf scars 

Fruit 

•	 Samara shaped like a canoe paddle •	 1-2” long 

Bark 

•	 Ashy gray to light brown •	 Interlacing ridges form narrow diamond-shaped furrows 
EURoPEAN ASH 

Fraxinus excelsior L. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 7-9 leaflets arranged in two rows along 

an axis (leaf stalk) 

•	 Dark green above, lighter green beneath •	 2-4” long 

Twigs 

•	 Grayish or grayish brown, stout •	 Scattered minute white spots •	 Buds are nearly black 

Fruit 

•	 Samaras shaped like canoe paddles •	 Arranged in drooping clusters 

Bark 

•	 Ashy gray to gray brown •	 Interlacing ridges and furrows, older trees may 

appear scaly 
gREEN ASH

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. Leaves 

•	 Opposite, 7-9 leaflets arranged in two rows along an 

axis (leaf stalk) 

•	 Single toothed, most apparent near tip •	 Medium to dark green •	 9.9-11.8” long 

Twigs 

•	 Stout, gray to greenish brown •	 May be smooth or very downy •	 Buds are dark rusty brown 

Fruit 

•	 Samara shaped like a canoe paddle •	 1-2.5” long 

Bark 

•	 Ashy gray to gray brown •	 Interlacing ridges form narrow diamond-shaped furrows 
goLDENRAiN TREE

Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, 7-15 leaflets arranged in two rows 

along an axis (leaf stalk) 

•	 Deeply serrated margin •	 Dark green turning yellow in fall •	 5.8-20” long 

Twigs 

•	 Stout, reddish brown, zig-zag bud arrangement •	 Yellow flowers, grow in large terminal clusters •	 Buds are round, dark rusty brown 

Fruit 

•	 Clusters of papery, triangular capsules •	 Contain three hard, black, globular seeds •	 1-2”long 

Bark 

•	 Silvery gray, flat ridge tops •	 Reddish furrows 
AMERiCAN SyCAMoRE 

Platanus occidentalis L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, 3-5 lobes •	 Coarsely toothed along margins •	 Medium to dark green, very large, 4-8” wide 

Twigs 

•	 Light orange brown •	 Stout, round, generally zig zag between buds •	 Buds dark reddish brown and gummy 

Fruit 

•	 Bristly brown balls, maturing in autumn •	 Composed of many narrow nutlets •	 Usually one ball per stalk 

Bark 

•	 Peeling layers of brown, green, and white •	 Bark peeling on upper trunk exposes cream-colored inner bark 
LoNDoN PLANETREE 

Platanus 

x acerifolia (Ait.) Willd. 

Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, 5-9” long, very wide •	 3-5 lobes, coarsely toothed •	 Petiole base covers bud 

Twigs 

•	 Green to grayish brown •	 Buds are reddish in color and conical in shape •	 Twigs have zig-zag form 

Fruit 

•	 Spherical in shape, 1-1.5” diameter •	 Ripens to brown •	 Usually appears in pairs, hangs from long stalks 

Bark 

•	 Light brown •	 Changes to creamy, olive, and yellow patches with age 
wHiTE PoPLAR 

Populus alba L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, 3-5 lobes •	 Coarsely toothed lobes •	 Dark green above, woolly white below •	 4.5-8.4” long 

Twigs 

•	 Greenish gray to reddish brown •	 Often covered with cottony wool •	 Buds reddish brown, pointed 

Fruit 

•	 Conical capsule containing cottony seeds •	 Arranged in erect or drooping clusters 

Bark 

•	 Smooth whitish gray, becoming rough, blackish, 

and furrowed at the base 
EASTERN CoTToNwooD

Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, triangular •	 Coarse-toothed leaves, flattened stem •	 Medium green above and pale green below •	 3-7” long 

Twigs 

•	 Greenish yellow to brown •	 Stout; often ringed by large, warty growths •	 Buds greenish brown, shiny, and slightly gummy 

Fruit 

•	 Conical capsule containing cottony seeds •	 Arranged in loose drooping clusters 

Bark 

•	 Ash gray, greenish yellow on younger trees •	 Thick, flattened or rounded ridges, deep fissures 
BigTooTH ASPEN 

Populus grandidentata Michx. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, coarse curved teeth •	 Dull green above with minute white hairs below •	 Leaf stalks long, slender, flattened, or compressed •	 2-3” long 

Twigs 

•	 Stout, brownish gray to reddish brown •	 Buds are pointed, gray brown •	 Velvety coating gives buds “dusty” appearance 

Fruit 

•	 Narrow conical capsules containing cottony seeds •	 Light green and slightly curved •	 Arranged in drooping clusters 

Bark 

•	 Greenish gray, smooth, thin •	 Older bark is dark brown and furrowed with scaly ridges, 

orange tinge to younger bark 
LoMBARDy PoPLAR 

Populus nigra var. italica Muenchh. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, simple, triangular •	 Wavy, saw toothed •	 Dark green above, light green below •	 2-4” long 

Twigs 

•	 Slender, brownish orange •	 Buds are shiny, reddish brown •	 Buds long pointed and lay close to twig 

Fruit 

•	 Trees are all male and bear no seeds •	 Propagate by cutting and root sprouts 

Bark 

•	 Initially smooth and gray green, becoming blackish brown and 

irregularly furrowed 
EURoPEAN MoUNTAiN ASH

Sorbus aucuparia L. Leaves 

•	 Alternate, 9-15 leaflets arranged in two rows along 

an axis (leaf stalk) 

•	 Each leaflet lance shaped to uniformly wide •	 Leaflets sharply toothed at margins 

Twigs 

•	 Branches heavy bodied and spreading •	 Gray, smooth, and shiny 

Fruit 

•	 Fruits are in clusters •	 Individual fruits rounded, about 0.3” in diameter 

Bark 

•	 Very thin; usually less than 0.15” thick •	 Initially smooth surface turns rough with age •	 Gray 
A tree-lined Chicago street once infested with Asian longhorned beetle is replanted aft

Infested Eradicated 
Reforestation After Asian Longhorn

U.S. Forest Service, Urban and Community F

Tree planting is a critical component of helping a community recover from a pest infestation or natural disaster. Plant the right tree in the right place to ensure that trees grow well, provide desired benefits, and don’t conflict with infrastructure. A brief checklist of basic steps for tree selection, planting, and maintenance is included below. 

Plan – Work with knowledgeable professionals to develop a comprehensive reforestation plan. The plan can address prioritizing planting areas, planting/maintenance specifications, recommended species, working with partners and volunteers, inspecting work, and documenting progress. Develop detailed planting site plans for specific areas.Assess Planting Site – Assess all aspects of the site that may affect the tree such as rooting space, distance to buildings, sidewCheck for underground utilities through the location service in your area. Ctype, drainage, and pH. Check local ordinances that regulate planting on pu

Tree planting following activities in Worcester, 
Select Appropriate Species – Many nonhost species make good choices fo

species to diversify the future tree population and make it more resilient to of the tree, including mature size, to the site. Consider what function you waesthetics, and privacy, among others. Purchase Quality Tree Stock and Handle it Properly – Determine the type and budget—bare root, potted, or balled and burlapped. Work with a qualmeet accepted standards. Protect tree stock during transportation and on for tree survival and health are recommended. Plant the Tree Correctly – Prepare the appropriate size hole for the root batoo deep! Remove burlap and wire basket. Check for encircling roots. If trebe staked, do it correctly and plan to remove the stakes. Mulch and water planting. 

Suggested References and web Sites 

Tree Owner’s Manual, U.S. Forest Service: www.treeownersmanual.info Best Management Practices for Tree Planting, ANSI Standards for Nursery Transplanting, Principles and Practice of Planting Trees and Shrubs: availabInternational Society of Arboriculture: http://www.isa-arbor.com/store/catNorthern Tree Selection Web Site: http://lyra.ifas.ufl.edu/NorthernTrees/ 

Your State Forester: http://www.stateforesters.org/about/who-we-are Arbor Day Foundation: www.arborday.org 
Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the technical assistance of Jane Stewart, Susan Grantsignificantly to the style and format of this guide. Thanks go to Dan Gilrein, DBrenton Teillon, Donald Tobi, Margaret Miller-Weeks, Ryan Hanavan, Tom RaLance, Clint McFarland, Rhonda Santos, Helen Hull-Sanders, Christine Markhfinal document. We thank John Parry for compiling the reforestation contentfor editorial and layout assistance. Thanks also go to Joe LaForest, Bugwood Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, The University of Georgia, for assistapermissions. The map on page 3 was prepared by Rebecca Lilja, U.S. Forest SThis work was originally supported by the New York State Urban and CommuYork State Department of Environmental Conservation through funds providof Agriculture Forest Service and an additional grant from the U.S. Forest SerPrivate Forestry (Award Number 01-CA-11244225-423). 
Host Tree image Acknowledge

Box elder fruit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. Black maple leaf: Roorg, fruit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org, twig and bark: Brett Marsmaple twig and samara: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. Sycamore mbark, fruit, twig, and leaf: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. Sugar maBugwood.org, fruit, twig, and leaf: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. YChris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org, leaf: Jaknouse. Buckeye bark, fruitUniversity, Bugwood.org. Horsechestnut bark: Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Marshall, Sault College, Bugwood.org; leaf: Keith Kanoti, Maine Forest Service, BugwUniversity, Bugwood.org. Cherry birch bark, leaf: Keith Kanoti, Maine Forest ServiceSault College, Bugwood.org. River birch leaf: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, BugIowa State University, Bugwood.org. White willow bark: S. Sepp. Weeping willow baAmerican elm seed: Gary Fewless. Chinese elm bark: Karan A. Rawlins, University oMimosa bark, leaf, and fruit: James H. Miller, U.S. Forest Service, Bugwood.org. HacService, fruit and twig: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. Katsura tree APHIS, mature leaf: Jennifer Forman-Orth, immature leaf: Virginia Lohr. White and gleaf, and fruit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. Green ash twig: Rob Goldenrain tree fruit: Franklin Bonner, U.S. Forest Service (ret.), bark: Karan A. Rawleaf: Bugwood.org. Sycamore bark, leaf, and fruit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, and leaf: Arboles Y Arbustos. White poplar leaves: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Cand twig: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org. Eastern cottonwood barkWray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org, fruit: Dan Busemeyer. Bigtooth aspen baUniversity, Bugwood.org. European mountain ash fruit: Bill Cook, Michigan State Unimages courtesy of the University of Vermont, Entomology Research Laboratory. 
References

Dodds, K.J.; Orwig, D.A. 2011. An invasive urban forest pest invades natural environments — 

northeastern US hardwood forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 41(9): 17

Hu, J.; Angeli, S.; Schuetz, S.; Luo, Y.; Hajek, A.E. 2009. Ecology and management of exotic an

Anoplophora glabripennis. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 11(4): 359–375. 

doi:10.1111/j.1461-9563.2009.00443.x. 

Ric, J.; de Groot, P.; Gasman, B.; Orr, M.; Doyle, J.; Smith, M.T.; Dumouchel, L.; Scarr, T.; Turge

of Asian longhorned beetle injury: training guide. Service canadien des forêts, RessOttawa, Ont. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 2012. Asian Lon

program in Clermont County, Ohio. Environmental Assessment. Riverdale, MD. httpplant_health/ea/downloads/2012/ALB-OH-ClermontCounty-2012-EA.pdf. (15 May 

Wang, B. 2012. Asian longhorned beetle: annotated host list. USDA–APHIS–PPQ, Center for 

Laboratory. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/asian_lhb/d

Data for Map 1. Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestations in North America: 

Maple Forest (U.S.): USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise TeaMaple Forest (Canada): Yemshanov, D.; McKenney, D.W.; Pedlar, J.H. 2012. MappinNational Forest Inventory and land cover classification maps. Environmental MonitMaple Forest (Southern Ontario): U.S. Geological Survey, National Center for Earth North American Land Cover Characteristics – 1-Kilometer Resolution. 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs an

color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial storientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an indpublic assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) sat (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, DIndependence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) equal opportunity provider and employer. 
Report the Asian Longhorned Beetle 

866–702–9938