On the historic grounds of Panama Rocks in Chautauqua County, Jonathan Weston now owns and operates the scenic attraction known for its majestic rock formations and hiking trails that have been in his family since 1979.

Dead ash trees infested with the Emerald Ash Borer, an evasive insect from Eastern Asia, first discovered outside of Detroit, Michigan in 2001.

Jonathan says close to a hundred trees were cut down last year and more than 300 two years ago, to prevent the limbs from falling on visitors as they walk the grounds.

"It's not only heart-breaking, it costs a lot of money to have these trees taken down," Jonathan said.

State Department of Environmental Conservation leaders say while the insect isn't going away, they have worked to slow the spread, as people transporting firewood is a major source of movement.

"Ash trees are an important species,” Patrick Marren, DEC regional forester, said. “They're widely abundant in the state. The proper response in dealing with those trees is to get them out of there, protect the people that are visiting the property."

DEC efforts include restricting the movement of wood material, as well as conducting outreach campaigns for tree owners and their communities.

"Ash is considered a very great street tree,” Patrick said. “Widely planted on our communities, on our streets, in front of our civic buildings, in our parks. And so the loss of those trees, the loss of that canopy, the shading, the cooling effects that we've derived from those urban trees is a really important loss."

Several of Jonathan's trees have now been cut into firewood, complete with the scars of disease. Jonathan says the DEC is doing everything it can to help, and so is he.

About 120 different native trees and shrubs were purchased to replace the dead ash trees.

"Take this tragedy and turn it into an opportunity and plant a lot of bio diverse native species that'll help strengthen the eco-system," Jonathan said.

Jonathan hopes to start planting in the coming months, as the season opens in May.

The DEC says there are chemical insecticides that can help preserve and prevent ash trees from dying.

If you or someone you know has a number of healthy ash trees, the DEC wants to hear from you. You can find those details on DEC.NY.gov.