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May 18, 2009 5:55 pm US/Central
Agriculture Dept. To Map Spread Of Ash Borer
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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Once they know how widespread or contained emerald ash borer is, the scientists will have a better idea of how to treat them and hold back the surge. (File)
CBS
The war against the spread of emerald ash borer is on. Monday, arborists organized their final strategy to find out how widespread the problem is.
Signs of the tree-killing disease were discovered last week in a St. Paul park near Highway 280 and Interstate 94.
Ever since they learned a deadly bug moved into their neighborhood, those who live in the area fear the destruction the beetles cause.
"The neighborhood would just be completely different if we didn't have those trees. They're such a trademark of the neighborhood," said St. Paul resident Ryan Potts.
"I'd feared it was potentially going to happen but I was hoping obviously we'd be fortunate not to have it come to our park," said St. Paul resident Erin Shaw.
Tuesday, teams of arborists will wage the first preemptive strike on the spread of emerald ash borer by finding out how many trees they've invaded inside the bark.
"What you might see in an infested tree is a die-back at the very top of the tree. Typically it starts at the top of the tree and it kind of works down from there," said Minn. Department of Agriculture spokesperson Michael Schommer.
Using a grid, the troops will fan out in a several square mile radius from Hamden Park, where the first larvae-infested tree was discovered.
"They'll search each of those squares and they'll determine, 'is EAB in this square?'" explained Schommer.
Arborists hope the industrial area east of the park will be a buffer and slow down the spread of the disease, but they worry it may move southwest to the river valley.
Once they know how widespread or contained emerald ash borer is, the scientists will have a better idea of how to treat them and hold back the surge.
Those who overlook the park where the ash tree enemy was found are grateful for the fight to stop them.
"I would encourage them to do all the work that they're doing and maybe more," said Shaw.
Homeowners in the search area will get information fact sheets on emerald ash borer Tuesday. It also points out that a small area of bark may be removed to determine if the tree is infested.
Firewood is probably the quickest way to spread the Ash Borer. That's why in Washington County they're making new rules. People can not bring in their own firewood unless it was bought at a Washington County park or though a vendor that has been cleared through the DNR.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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