MDA urges Minnesotans to join the fight against emerald ash borer

MDA urges Minnesotans to join the fight against emerald ash borer

saveourashadulteab

Information submitted by Mark Abrahamson, MN Department of Agriculture – Invasive Species Coordinator.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 18, 2007
CONTACT: Michael Schommer, Communications Director, 651-201-6629

MDA urges Minnesotans to join the fight against emerald ash borer Buy it where you burn it campaign designed to prevent spread of pests hiding in firewood.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota – With summer camping season around the corner, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has a simple message when it comes to firewood: Buy it where you burn it!

Emerald ash borer is a devastating Asian tree pest that was first found in North America outside Detroit in 2002.

Since 2002, emerald ash borer (EAB) has spread – likely through movement of infested firewood – across Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Maryland.

While the beetle is not a threat to human health, it is a serious threat to Minnesota’s 872 million ash trees. EAB larvae attack and kill ash trees by tunneling into the bark and destroying the tree’s circulatory system. The insect has damaged or killed millions of ash trees in affected states. MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson warns that EAB is a bigger threat to Minnesota than most states.

“Minnesota is a sitting duck for EAB because we have a huge population of susceptible ash species such as green, white and black ash,” Commissioner Hugoson said. “In many cases, these ash trees are prized shade trees in our urban lawns and parks. The bottom line is that EAB could rival Dutch elm disease as the worst thing to hit Minnesota trees in our lifetime.”

The MDA plays an important role in fighting invasive tree pests like EAB. Since 2005, the department has run a statewide EAB monitoring program. MDA also works with the federal government and the nursery industry to prevent accidental introduction of EAB on nursery stock and other wood products.

This Memorial Day weekend, MDA and local partners in Hennepin, Ramsey, Olmsted, St. Louis and Washington counties will join counterparts in other states to place temporary “tree tags” on ash trees in parks and public spaces. The laminated signs read “Caution: Don’t Move Firewood” and provide details about the EAB threat. The signs are designed to educate people and encourage them to join the fight against the beetles.

Minnesotans can help prevent EAB from spreading by following these tips:

  • Don’t transport firewood. Buy it where you burn it, and burn all of it where you buy it.
  • Don’t buy firewood from outside Minnesota. If someone comes to your door selling firewood, ask them about the source of the wood. If it came from outside Minnesota, don’t buy it.
  • Keep an eye on your ash trees. If you notice problems with your ash trees, call your city forester or your county extension educator for help diagnosing the problem.
  • For help in identifying ash trees and for more information about EAB, visit SaveOurAsh.net.

This release is available on the MDA website.