Does Every Ash Tree Have to Die? The Spread of Emerald Ash Borer in Kansas

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer on ash trees in Kansas and explores management options for landowners.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has forever changed the future of ash trees in North America — and Kansas is no exception. In this episode, Forest Health Coordinator Shad Hunfnagel of the Kansas Forest Service explains how this invasive insect arrived in the U.S., its devastating impacts on communities and ecosystems, and what options landowners still have to protect or manage their ash trees. We’ll explore why EAB is so difficult to detect, what Kansans can do to slow its spread, and whether there’s any hope for ash trees in the years ahead. Learn more about EAB: https://www.kansasforests.org/ Sign up for the Kansas Canopy Newsletter: https://kfs.myflodesk.com/klkuvgulw5

People in this episode

Guest: Shad Hunfnagel

Topics covered

• Emerald Ash Borer
• ash trees
• invasive species
• forest health
• land management

Keywords

• Kansas
• invasive insect
• community impact
• ecosystem
• tree protection

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Emerald Ash Borer information

Places: Kansas, North America, U.S.

More episodes of Kansas Canopy

• Discovering the Ozark Chinquapin · June 3, 2026 · 1h 28m
• Putting Kansas on the Map: GIS Tools That Make a Difference · May 6, 2026 · 38 min
• Researching the Eastern Redcedar · April 1, 2026 · 26 min
• The Kansas River & the People Who Protect It · March 4, 2026 · 52 min
• Champions in the Field: Measuring Giants, Building Pride · February 4, 2026 · 50 min
• Investing in the Forest: Why Timber Stand Improvement Matters · January 7, 2026 · 30 min