White Ash was once one of the most prevalent trees in Pennsylvania. It is a hardy, deciduous tree that shades many large areas and is known for its striking fall colors. Pennsylvania provides much of the ash timber that is harvested to make the Louisville Slugger, the official Major League baseball bat. However, ash trees have been vanishing across the state. An invasive species of insect, the Emerald Ash Borer, has been infesting and killing ash trees in 25 states. The pest has the potential to eradicate the entire genus of ash trees within just a few years.

The destructive beetle is native to Northeastern Asia and was first discovered in the United States in 2002. Outside its native land the bug causes devastating affects to North American and Western European forestry. While the adult bugs are relatively harmless, the larvae consume the inner bark of ash trees, disturbing the flow of nutrients and water, and causing tree death if not treated promptly. The bug has destroyed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America since its discovery, and continues to wipe out the trees across the affected states. There are a few measures that can be taken to treat and prevent infestation in individual ash trees, such as quarantine and a bi-annual injection into the trunk of the tree. Forestry experts say the situation is dire but not entirely hopeless, though the economic and ecological effects are irreparable.

Joining us on Smart Talk to discuss the Emerald Ash Borer and the future of ash trees in Pennsylvania are two Forest Entomologists with the Division of Forest Health within DCNR, Dr. Mark Faulkenberry and Timothy Tomon.

The first total solar eclipse to be visible in the United States in 38 years is scheduled to occur this Monday, August 21st. The sun, moon and earth will be in a straight line, and will cast an ominous shadow over the earth. This is a rare and exciting occasion for our country, and its being called the "Great American Solar Eclipse."

Though Pennsylvania doesn't fall into the eclipse's "path of totality," locals will be able to witness a partial eclipse between 1 and 4pm, with the maximum coverage of the sun estimated to occur between 2:30 and 2:45pm. Joining us to discuss the eclipse and answer all your questions is Cosmic Mike, Senior Scidome educator at the North Museum in Lancaster.