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Texas Ash Seed Conservation Project

What is the issue?

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive species from Asia that was introduced to the United Stater in the 1990s in wood packing material. The larvae of the emerald ash borer feed on the phloem and outer sapwood of ash trees, producing galleries that eventually girdle and kill the tree. Since introduction, millions of ash trees have been killed by this invasive pest. To learn more about the emerald ash borer and other invasive species, visit the invasive species database.

Humans unknowingly contribute to the spread of this species by moving infestated materials such as firewood, nursery stock, lumber and other materials. Learn more about stopping the spread.

If you believe you have located an emerald ash borer, Report It.

Save The Ash!

In response to extensive tree mortality from the emerald ash borer, ash seeds are being collected for long-term storage to preserve the species from extinction. Preserved seeds will also be used after the emerald ash borer is stopped, to reintroduce ash species into their natural environments.

The Goal

Texas has eight native ash species (Texas ash, carolina ash, white ash, fragrant ash, green ash, Mexican ash, Gregg's ash and velvet ash).

Our goal is to identify and map ash species across the state. We will then guide volunteers in making seed collections for fifty trees in each eco-region, banking the seeds for use in restoration.

How Can you Help?

We need your help to save the ash trees of texas. First, we need to locate and map native ash trees in your area. We have created a distribution map, to help find the ash species in your area.

You can help by sending the GPS coordination, tree species, one up close photo of the leaf for identification and one photograph of the entire tree to ashseed@wildflower.org.

We will then contact you and provide instructions for collecting seeds from the tree, for use in our seed bank.

Contact Us

To learn more and to get assistance, please contact ashseed@wildflower.org.