The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

April 22, 2009

State: ash borer alert

Ag advising not to transport firewood, ash products to other counties

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials today announced a state quarantine on firewood, ash trees, and ash tree products in Houston County. The precautionary measure is designed to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer, a highly destructive tree pest recently discovered in Victory, Wisconsin, just across the Mississippi River from Houston County.



While officials have not confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Minnesota, the extent and proximity of the Victory infestation increases the likelihood of an EAB infestation in Houston County.



"Emerald ash borer is a very difficult pest to find, but the evidence suggests the Victory infestation has been in place for several years," MDA Plant Protection Division Director Geir Friisoe said. "Because the beetle can move several miles a year on its own, a precautionary quarantine is warranted to reduce the risk EAB poses to Minnesota's 900 million ash trees."



While EAB spreads slowly on its own, it can hitch a ride to new areas when people transport firewood or other wood products infested with the larvae. For this reason, prohibiting the movement of potentially infested products such as firewood and ash nursery products is a common tool used to slow the spread of the pest.



Since its accidental introduction into North America, EAB has killed millions of ash trees in 10 eastern states. The metallic-green adult beetles are a half inch long, and are active from May to September. Signs of EAB infestation include one-eighth inch, D-shaped exit holes in ash tree bark and serpentine tunnels packed with sawdust under the bark. EAB larvae kill ash trees by tunneling into the wood and feeding inside the tree.



Details about EAB can be found on MDA's website at www.mda.state.mn.us. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also has information at www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/eab.



MDA and DNR officials urge all Minnesota citizens to take several steps to help keep EAB from spreading:



* Don’t transport firewood, even within Minnesota. Don’t bring firewood along on a camping trip.

* Don’t buy or move firewood from outside Minnesota.

* Watch for signs of infestation in your ash trees. If you suspect your ash tree could be infested by EAB, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.htm and use the "Do I Have Emerald Ash Borer?" checklist on the MDA’s EAB web page

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