Vito Fossella: “In recent years, forests in Staten Island and other parts of New York, yes, New York City does have forests, have been…”

“In recent years, forests in Staten Island and other parts of New York, yes, New York City does have forests, have been under attack by the Asian Longhorned Beetle. The beetle has already eliminated 8,400 trees and, according to a recent New York Times article, Federal and State officials are expecting to eliminate 10,000 trees on Staten Island and Pralls Island due to the infestation of this invasive species. This does not include the additional 13,000 trees that are going to be sprayed with pesticides. In the United States, 35 percent of all urban trees are at risk, at a combined replacement value of $669 billion. An infested silver maple tree located on a private wooded lot in Bloomfield in Staten Island is the first evidence of Asian Longhorned Beetle found. It was detected on March 22nd of this year. Thankfully, its early detection gives hope that the threat can be contained before it spreads to the nearby Staten Island Greenbelt Forest. However, without having the proper control mechanism in place by the July hatching period, Staten Island's 2,800 acre Greenbelt is in peril.”