Emerald Ash Borer in Pennsylvania

Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect pest from Asia, was discovered in Pennsylvania for the first time on June 21, 2007. The wood-boring beetle attacks all species of ash trees, leading to their decline and death, usually within 3 to 5 years. EAB came into the United States in solid wood packing materials from China. So far the beetle has killed 20 to 25 million ash trees in Michigan, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario, Canada. Efforts in these states to eradicate the beetle by removing all ash trees in a .5 mile radius around infested trees have failed. The transportation of firewood by campers is believed to be the primary dispersal agent. In response, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture has quarantined Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, and Lawrence counties. The quarantine prohibits the transportation of all firewood, ash nursery stock, and any ash materials (logs, chips, stumps, etc) out of the quarantine area. The movement of firewood from other state into Pennsylvania has also been prohibited.

The beetle has likely been in the Cranberry area for a few years, and has since spread into Northern Allegheny County. State and federal officials are still surveying the area to determine the extent of the infestation and how to best manage it. The USDA has allocated $3 million to help Pennsylvania in the efforts. Locally, 411 street trees are ash, 9 trees in Allegheny Commons, and approximately 164 landscape trees in Schenley, Frick, Highland, and Riverview Parks are ash. These parks have a considerably greater number of ash trees in wooded areas that were not inventoried. Currently there are no long-term strategies to protect trees. The pesticide Merit can be applied annually to high value landscape trees.

What Can You Do?

Prevent the Emerald Ash Borer from spreading across Pennsylvania--do not move firewood across county lines!  

The Emerald Ash Borer is found within the wood of trees--and once trees are split into firewood it is difficult to distinguish them from other species.  There is a quarantine on firewood in South Western Pennsylvania counties--buy firewood close to your camp but do not bring it with you from other areas of the state.

For more information:

Penn State Department of Entomology
http://www.paemeraldashborer.psu.edu/

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=144707

Pennsylvania DCNR
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/fpm_invasives_EAB.aspx

Emerald Ash Borer Info
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/