Pratt Refuge, SAP-Ne Demonstration Site (South Duxbury, VT)

Emerald ash borer threatens the long-term existence of all species of ash native to North America, including the Pratt Refuge, with less than 7% of the property's basal area belonging to white ash. In the summer of 2022, 20 white ash trees (10 male, 10 female) were injected with emamectin benzoate and then treated again in 2025 to preserve genetic diversity and protect seed trees for future ash regeneration. Starting in 2025, 40 white ash trees will be monitored annually for signs of EAB and tree health using the Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) protocol in order to identify lingering ash. Forest stewardship practices at this site are supported in part by the Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne), through a demonstration site network showcasing effective approaches for preserving future generations of ash in the face of emerald ash borer.

South Duxbury, Vermont

A 518-acre property on either side of Ward Hill Rd. The ash preservation patch is located in the northern hardwood forest on either side of the cabin south of Ward Hill Rd. The MaMA plot is located north of Ward Hill Rd around the birding loop trail.

44.260984

-72.820799

Ward Hill is off of Route 100 between Waterbury and Waitsfield. The address for the parking lot at the cabin is 2139 Ward Hill Rd.

From Waterbury, look for a right turn on Ward Hill Road shortly after Harwood Union Middle and High School.

From Waitsfield, Ward Hill Road will be .8 miles on your left after where Route 100B splits off from Route 100 (stay on 100).

About 2.1 miles up Ward Hill Road look for a hand-painted sign at the bottom of the driveway that says “Pratt.” The driveway will be on the left side of the road. Please note that it’s a very steep driveway!

Some treated trees are located along the universally accessible Chickadee Interpretive Trail. The rest are within walking distance off-trail around the cabin. The MaMA plot is accessed via the pedestrian only birding loop trail north of Ward Hill Rd.

The treated trees and MaMA plot are accessed by foot only on and off trail. Some treated trees are located along the universally accessible trail and can also be accessed using a mobility device.

Vermont Land Trust

+1 802-989-9616

3-acre ash preservation patch; 6-acre MaMA plot

Ash

emerald ash borer

emerald ash borer

The stand originated from abandoned pasture approximately 90 years ago. It was last harvested in in the early 1990s.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer threatens the long-term existence of all species of ash native to North America. In 2018, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was detected in Montpelier, less than 10 miles from the Pratt Refuge. White ash represents less than 7% of the basal area on the property. We identified 10 healthy female white ash and 10 healthy male white ash trees ranging in size from 9” to 23” diameter at breast height (DBH). These 20 white ash trees were injected with emamectin benzoate in July 2022 and then again in June 2025 to preserve genetic diversity and protect seed trees for future ash regeneration. This is one site in a network of sites owned by non-profit and state and federal partners where ash preservation patches have been established to conserve ash genetics. In 2025 we established a Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) plot to hopefully identify any lingering white ash.

Conserve a reproducing population of white ash, preserve the genetics of white ash, and identify lingering white ash.

The primary goal of the landowner is to maintain a healthy and productive forest ecosystem that provides a diversity of benefits. VLT manages the property to meet the following objectives: - Protect forest health, water quality, and soil health - Enhance and protect wildlife habitat, especially bird habitat - Produce high quality timber products and maple sap - Protect native biodiversity - Conserve white ash - Protect historic and cultural resources - Increase forest resilience in the face of climate change

Twenty white ash trees (10 female and 10 male) were treated with a systemic trunk injection of emamectin benzoate 10.0% (Trade name: TREE-age R10 by Arborjet) at an application rate of 2 mL per inch DBH using the Arborjet QUIK-jet AIR Kit. Trees were sexed in 2022. The first treatment occurred in July, 2022 and the second treatment occurred in June, 2025. We plan to continue to treat these trees every three years. The MaMA plot was established in 2025. Canopy health of 40 white ash trees and signs and symptoms of EAB will be monitored annually.

• forest health
• species or ecosystem restoration

Arborjet QUIK-jet AIR

Lessons learned: Planning a couple years ahead is highly recommended as it's easiest to sex trees during heavy seed years, which are episodic. It is important to sex trees before treatment because you need to make sure you treat enough females. For genetic conservation goals, USFS researchers recommend 1:4, male:female. For this site it was hard to find females so we ended up treating 1:1, male-female. It’s important to select the healthiest, most vigorous trees.

yes

We check on the tree health between treatments and will adjust the treatment timing accordingly. The MaMa plot is monitored annually.

11 hours, excluding travel time

About $1723, not including travel time or mileage.

The 20 white ash trees in the preservation patch will be treated every 3 years. The 40 white ash trees in the MaMA plot will be monitored annually

VLT received a grant from the USFS to purchase the injection equipment.

Caitlin Cusack

Vermont Land Trust