Ash Trees and their Significance in Old Trolley Line Park

 One of the most intriguing parts of this park is the Ash Trees. In 2002 an invasive species of beetle from Asia was located in southeastern Michigan. Since then it has killed millions of ash trees and has brought ash trees to near extinction. The beetle is called the Emerald Ash Borer. The adults do little harm to the trees, but the larvae eat through the inner bark of the trees cutting off the trees abilities to transport water and nutrients thus killing the trees. In this park hundreds of Ash Tree saplings have planted themselves in the park land. Hopefully with the right conditions at least a few of these saplings will grow into full trees.