Emerald Ash Borer
From Robert Tornesh, Senior Lecturer UW Madison Horticulture Department
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) insect has been found in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Officials with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Natural Resources today announced the first confirmed occurrence of EAB, an invasive, destructive insect pest of ash trees, in Wisconsin. The discovery was made by forest health specialists investigating a citizen report of dying ash trees in a private woodlot in Ozaukee County, near the Village of Newburg. Officials announcing the find emphasized that the first steps in responding to the infestation will be to quarantine movement of hardwood firewood, ash nursery stock, timber or any other article that could spread EAB out of the infested area. Since the infestation site is near Washington County, it's likely that both counties will be quarantined. Additional counties may also be included. More information will be forthcoming as the investigations of the find continues.
Below are key informational resources identified to assist with education, impacts precautions and updates concerning State and local issues.
UW-Madisoin Entomology Department web site: Includes pictures of EAB beetle, look-alikes, ash tree identification, Wisconsin's EAB Position Statement, ash tree damage symptoms, downloadable posters, etc. Check out the icon information on the Department of Entomology web site.
DATCP web site: this is a portal to UW, WIDNR and other web sites. This web site is regularly updated and is to be the primary resource site for Wisconsin EAB information. Check out the following icon information on the web site:
Other DATCP Resources This DATCP web site has a host of resources including power points, publications, etc.
Ash Alternatives Listing of tree species to replace ash trees for homeowner and urban landscape planning: Commercially available tree species and cultivars. Dr. Laura Jull, Department of Horticulture, UW-Madison
Multi-State Effort This web site is part of a multi-state effort including Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to provide the latest information about EAB