Ash borer gets closer to state

It’s a pest that isn’t very large in size, but makes up for its physical stature by causing a wide-ranging path of destruction, prompting a state organization to take measures to try to prevent its arrival.

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic green colored beetle about a half-inch long whose larvae infest ash trees and kill them. The beetle was discovered in St. Paul last month, causing the North Dakota Forest Service to take action to ensure it doesn’t spread to ash trees in North Dakota.

Sarah Tunge, stewardship forester for the state Forest Service in Bottineau, said after learning of the emerald ash borer’s appearance in Minnesota, the organization decided to place a ban on out-of-state firewood on land they operate in the state. Tunge said people bringing in firewood from outside the state, particularly from states where it has been found, has shown to be the leading way the beetle has jumped so quickly from state to state.

She said the ban should help to minimize the chances of the emerald ash borer making an appearance in North Dakota.

“We’ve been discussing this for a couple weeks. We’re being a little more proactive. Prior to it being found in St. Paul, Minn., there had been a few states between it and us. Now it’s right next door,” said Tunge.

Tunge said the beetle has devastated trees in other states and it is a tough insect to get rid of completely. She said educating the public and preventative measures are the best options they’ve got right now.

“As of right now, there are no effective control measures; nothing is 100 percent effective. We’re trying to slow the spread as best we can,” said Tunge.

The North Dakota Forest Service maintains five state forests and has about 13,000 acres under its control. Tunge said they’re taking steps to protect these acres as much as possible.

“We have people patrolling on the weekends, all of our seasonal employees go around to check firewood,” said Tunge.

Tunge said if they find someone with out-of-state firewood, they’ll tell the people about the emerald ash borer issue and get them to burn it immediately so there’s no risk. She also said as a state agency, they don’t have the authority to fine people for bringing in outside wood, which is why they try to burn it as soon as possible instead.

If the emerald ash borer is ever found in North Dakota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would come in and likely set up a quarantine zone in the state and try to prevent its spread.

Greg Corcoran, park manager for Lewis and Clark State Park, said it was shocking to find out the emerald ash borer got so close to North Dakota so quickly. But he is encouraged by the state Forest Service taking the lead on preventative steps. Corcoran said they’re taking similar steps at Lewis and Clark.

“What we’re doing is putting up signs to alert the public and we’re checking for out-of-state license plates, anything they bring in we’ll burn it and give them some native firewood for free,” said Corcoran.

The rapid spread of the emerald ash borer has been stunning, said Corcoran. He has been in contact with the state Forest Service and other agencies and by working together he thinks they can keep the beetle out.

“We weren’t expecting it to come so quickly. We’re taking every possible precaution,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran said one thing he disagrees with is the notion the pest can’t be stopped, only delayed. He said if they work to keep it out and do so in an intelligent and careful fashion, they can keep it from destroying North Dakota’s ash trees.

“We can’t give up the fight, there’s always a way to fix something. We don’t want it here and we’re gonna try to stop this,” said Corcoran.

The emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle whose native territory is in eastern Russia and Asia. Prior to 2002, it had never been found in North America when it began to show up in trees in the Detroit area. It is believed to have come over in ash wood used in cargo ships.

The emerald ash borer has destroyed tens of millions of ash trees in areas of 12 states and in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. In North America, ash trees have little or no resistance to the emerald ash borer since it is not a native insect.

The damage is done when the larvae begin feeding inside and damage the nutrient conducting tissues under the bark. Trees heavily infested can die within a year or two after infestation.

For more information about the emerald ash borer, visit the informational Web site www.emeraldashborer.info/.