Emerald ash borer found in Madison County

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

It was inevitable and it’s finally happened.

Add Madison County to the growing list of Ohio counties which have been invaded by the emerald ash borer (EAB). The insect enemy of American ash trees was found June 12 on an ash tree in eastern Madison County near Galloway. The EAB has now infested 63 of 88 Ohio counties. Along with Madison, add counties Belmont, Knox and Crawford.

According to information from the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s department of communications, a citizen, apparently suspecting EAB infestation, sent samples into the department of agriculture, said Brett Gates, director of communications.

Gates said the ag department then dispatched its own inspectors to collect samples. Those samples were then forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Department of Animal and Plant Health inspectors for confirmation.

Gates said their analysis confirmed the samples were indeed EAB.

Gates said it will be up to the tree’s owner to decide the fate of the infested tree.

The department’s release requested residents to use caution when transporting firewood to protect against the artificial spread of the EAB and other pests.

In June of 2011, the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s emerald ash borer quarantine was officially rescinded because the pest has been found throughout most of the state, including Wayne National Forest. Despite lifting the state quarantine, officials recommend that Ohioans continue to exercise caution when moving ash and other woody materials. Residents are encouraged to buy and burn local firewood.

A federal quarantine for Ohio, enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, remains in effect. This quarantine makes it illegal to transport ash trees, parts of ash trees and all hardwood firewood out of federally regulated areas.

For more information regarding the federal quarantine, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/emerald_ash_b/index.shtml.