"Emerald ash borer could rival Dutch elm disease as the worst thing to hit Minnesota trees in our lifetime."
EAB Awareness Week will be observed from May 20 through May 26 in Minnesota as a part of a nationwide effort.
The purpose of EAB Awareness Week is to get the message out about emerald ash borer, especially emphasizing this year’s theme, “The Three P’s of EAB: Prepare, Protect, and Plant.”
Prepare for your ash tree to be infested with emerald ash borer. Know the signs and symptoms of EAB. Know your options and what to do if your tree becomes infested. Depending on your city’s shade tree pest ordinance, you can choose to take down your tree, treat your tree, or do nothing.
Protect areas not yet infested with emerald ash borer by not moving firewood and adhering to quarantine boundaries. If you are within 15 miles of an EAB infestation, you can protect your tree with insecticide treatments.
Plant a variety of native trees.
Minnesota's 998 million ash trees need your help.
Our forests face a growing threat from emerald ash borer (EAB) - a devastating tree pest that has spread across Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Onterio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
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.
Minnesota is a prime target because we have so many susceptible ash trees.
No matter how hard government officials work to control EAB, the actions of even one camper could undermine all our efforts. That’s because this weak-flying insect spreads mainly by hitching a ride inside firewood transported by people.
What can you do to help? There are three simple things:
- 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. Anytime you buy firewood, ask 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 county extension educator for help figuring out the problem.
- If you have to buy wood, buy MDA certified wood. MDA certifies wood treatment based on standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture, allowing wood to be moved around the state.
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