The Sacony Trail is undergoing a transformation of its habitat. Many trees that make up the riparian forest along the banks of the Sacony Creek and Trail have died due to attack by the Emerald Ash Borer (Figure 1). The larvae of this invasive beetle feed on the inner bark of native ash trees (Fraxinus species), which were the dominant trees along the Sacony Trail. In 2007, the beetle came to western Pennsylvania and by 2015 were found on ash trees at the Main Street Park in Kutztown. The area along the trail between the Kutztown Swimming Pool and the Shirk Auction House were hit the hardest by the beetle and by 2019 most of ash trees here were dead.
With so many dead trees posing a hazard to residents walking the trail, Kutztown Borough had many of the trees in this section removed in summer 2020. Unfortunately, there was much collateral damage to adjacent trees and the shrub layer of the riparian forest when the trees were removed. These disturbed areas have also allowed invasive species of trees and shrubs to flourish. The Kutztown Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) is coordinating the restoration of the riparian forest along the Sacony Trail. Since the fall of 2020, many volunteers, including EAC members, Kutztown University students and professors, and local residents, have planted more than 400 native trees and shrubs along the impacted sections of the trail Restoration efforts will continue as more dead ash trees and invasive species of trees and shrubs are removed along other sections of the trail in the future.
In March 2021, sensitive areas along the trail and creek where trees have been planted were roped off. Trail visitors and fishermen please stay on the trail in these areas and do not attempt to access the streambank here. These newly planted trees and shrubs are easily disturbed, and their successful growth will be important to stabilize the stream bank to prevent erosion, shade the creek to improve fish habitat, and restore habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
This restoration work was funded in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation in support of the Schuylkill Highlands Mini-Grant Program administered by Natural Lands. Additional funding has been provided by the Borough of Kutztown, the County of Berks, and Giant Foods.
If you would like to help with future habitat restoration efforts or trash cleanups along the Sacony Trail, please email the EAC ().
For more information about Emerald Ash Borers, visit the links below.
- Penn State Extension: Emerald Ash Borer
- Emerald Ash Borer Information Network
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources: Emerald Ash Border
