10-03-2006
State and Federal Crews Begin Emerald Ash Borer Detection Work

MADISON--State and federal crews began locating and marking trees as work continues in the search for emerald ash borer, a destructive, wood boring beetle that has left behind dead and dying ash trees in the Midwest but has not yet been found in Wisconsin. Survey work started on Oct. 2.

Crews from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have begun work to identify ash trees to sample for emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle native to Asia, has been responsible for the loss of an estimated 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana since its introduction. The beetle was first detected in the United States in 2002 and as of this summer, has been identified in northeastern Illinois.

Survey personnel will begin work in 17 Wisconsin counties that are considered high risk because they are either closest to known EAB infestations in neighboring states, they are counties with high tourist traffic or are counties with concentrated timber or firewood operations using ash. The counties are Adams, Brown, Columbia, Dane, Juneau, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. Work crews will locate and mark ash trees in public rights-of-way along roads for later removal and inspection. Crews will carry identification, and vehicles will have signs indicating 'EAB Survey.'

"As with any exotic pest, early detection is critical to preserve the widest range of response options," said Adrian Barta, New and Emerging Plant Pest Program Coordinator for DATCP. "Unfortunately, in this case, the best tools we have for detection of new infestations require taking down trees."

The EAB detection survey will locate ash trees in a grid pattern across selected townships in the targeted counties. Wherever possible, public trees will be used; in rare situations, the survey may ask landowners for permission to take private trees. In urban areas, municipal foresters will assist efforts. Several municipalities have already offered trees for sampling. Finding EAB while it is in the early stages of infesting ash trees involves felling trees and then carefully peeling through the bark to find hidden larvae. Trees of less than 10 inches in diameter and in declining health will be targeted.

"The process is laborious and no one likes to cut down live trees," said Barta, "but until researchers provide us with better methods, this is the only effective early detection tool we have."

Two strategies will be employed for the detection survey: sample trees, which will be felled and peeled this season, and detection trees, which will be girdled and left standing until the fall of 2007.

"Girdling is a method that intentionally injures the tree bark. When ash trees are girdled, the tree releases distress chemicals that are believed to attract emerald ash borers," Barta explained. The surveyors hope to sample 1,420 trees this year, and girdle 4,480 trees for peeling next year. Wisconsin has an estimated 717 million ash trees in our forests and as much as 30 percent of the city trees in many municipalities are ash.

Symptoms of emerald ash borer infestation include sprouts from the base of the tree, canopy thinning or dieback, D-shaped exit holes about 1/8 inch in diameter, and S-shaped galleries under the bark. For more information, visit the DATCP Web site or call the DATCP Pest Hotline at 1-800-462-2803.
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