I didn't know what an ash splint was. I'd guess they are best obtained from a live-cut tree that is still "green"? Mine would all be pretty dry by now.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

A different one, but the spotted lanternfly finally found my grapes. I'm at a total loss for how to protect them. The local university is studying oils and sprays, but they don't have any guidance yet.

The wheel bug is the first predator to realize the lantern fly is a tasty morsel. I hope we can continue coaching other insects to eat the invasives.

In my area we've had the Spotted lanternfly for more than 5 years now, maybe closer to 10. In the first year or two they could be seen in huge numbers. Since then they've waned off considerably. Like last year I don't recall seeing many at all. This summer they are back but still nothing compared to that initial wave. I've seen birds eating them, leaving lots of disembodied red wings in my backyard. Feels like they will reach some equilibrium stable population.

I hope your grapes make it through

From wikipeda, it sounds like wasps are a natural predator. Not sure which native wasps might go for them or how to encourage that.

Chickens would probably eat them but they might eat your grapes as well.

An insect hotel tailored to the native wasps' nesting behavior would probably work best for attracting them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_hotel