An infestation of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has inched further across the state.
Officials have detected EAB in the Kimball area of Marion County, prompting a county-wide quarantine prohibiting the movement of ash trees and ash tree products. This quarantine has now reached 48 counties in Tennessee. EAB is a destructive forest pest that was introduced from Asia into the United States in the 1990s. It was first detected in Tennessee in July 2010. EAB beetles can kill an ash tree within three years of the initial infestation.
The insects are transported mainly by humans through infected ash nursery stock, firewood, unprocessed saw logs, and other ash products.
Citizens should report any symptomatic ash trees to TDA and follow these simple rules:
· Don’t transport firewood, even within the state.
· Use firewood from local sources near where it will be burned.
· If you purchase firewood, make sure that it is labeled and certified to be pest free.
· Watch for signs of infestation in your ash trees.
Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/topic/ag-businesses-eab for a symptoms checklist and a map of quarantined counties.
TDA’s Division of Forestry estimates that there are 261 million ash trees on public and private land in Tennessee, potentially valued as high as $9 billion.
For more information about EAB and other destructive forest pests, as well as tips for infestation prevention, visit www.protecttnforests.org.