As area families continue to enjoy the Wisconsin outdoors this summer, it is important to be aware of a looming threat to our state's environment. The arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has endangered our region's ash tree population. This invasive species is a real threat and public awareness and action is needed to help slow its spread.
The EAB is a wood boring beetle that attacks ash trees and first was found in Wisconsin in Ozaukee County in August 2008. Recently, a second infestation has been identified in Vernon County in April 2009. Since its initial detection in Detroit in 2002, the emerald ash borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, the EAB is not a threat to human health, but it does threaten our forest and urban tree populations. Native ash trees of any size, age, or health are susceptible to the EAB, and have resulted in a 100 percent fatal rate. The beetle has a limited range on its own, but can be aided by human transport when people move firewood, nursery stock or other items that carry the larvae inside.
The Wisconsin DNR estimates Wisconsin forests contain more than 770 million ash trees, nearly 7 percent of the tree population. In urban areas, they estimate that ash make up, on average, 20 percent of trees. The loss of these trees would be a devastating hit to our state both environmentally and economically. According to the United States National Arboretum, one small city in Michigan removed more than 2,000 dead or dying large ash trees at a cost of $2 million. The economic impact of the borer has the potential of totaling billions of dollars.
In an effort to combat this threat to our native trees, Wisconsin has come up with a plan, which includes: Raising citizen awareness, restricting the movement of firewood and materials that could potentially carry EAB into new locations, and monitoring for evidence of the insect. As of May 2009, the counties quarantined for EAB are Crawford, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Vernon and Washington.
Please review the information on EAB signs and symptoms, other pests and diseases and EAB look-alikes on this Web site: http://www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov/
If you still suspect an emerald ash borer, the DNR suggests reporting it immediately by calling the emerald ash borer hotline at 1-800-462-2803.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling 888-534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 11 West, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
The EAB is a wood boring beetle that attacks ash trees and first was found in Wisconsin in Ozaukee County in August 2008. Recently, a second infestation has been identified in Vernon County in April 2009. Since its initial detection in Detroit in 2002, the emerald ash borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, the EAB is not a threat to human health, but it does threaten our forest and urban tree populations. Native ash trees of any size, age, or health are susceptible to the EAB, and have resulted in a 100 percent fatal rate. The beetle has a limited range on its own, but can be aided by human transport when people move firewood, nursery stock or other items that carry the larvae inside.
The Wisconsin DNR estimates Wisconsin forests contain more than 770 million ash trees, nearly 7 percent of the tree population. In urban areas, they estimate that ash make up, on average, 20 percent of trees. The loss of these trees would be a devastating hit to our state both environmentally and economically. According to the United States National Arboretum, one small city in Michigan removed more than 2,000 dead or dying large ash trees at a cost of $2 million. The economic impact of the borer has the potential of totaling billions of dollars.
In an effort to combat this threat to our native trees, Wisconsin has come up with a plan, which includes: Raising citizen awareness, restricting the movement of firewood and materials that could potentially carry EAB into new locations, and monitoring for evidence of the insect. As of May 2009, the counties quarantined for EAB are Crawford, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Vernon and Washington.
Please review the information on EAB signs and symptoms, other pests and diseases and EAB look-alikes on this Web site: http://www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov/
If you still suspect an emerald ash borer, the DNR suggests reporting it immediately by calling the emerald ash borer hotline at 1-800-462-2803.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling 888-534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 11 West, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
