Posted: 04.27.2010

Today - pay attention to the trees you pass on your way to work or school.

Many cities, towns, and villages rely heavily on trees from the "ash" family as ways to beautify your neighborhood and that drive around town.  But if state ag authorities can't stay ahead of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) insect - those beautiful trees could all be gone in a short period of time.

Mick Sworak, EAB coordinator in Wisconsin, says right now there are three hot spots they're concentrating on.  Vernon and Crawford counties in the west, a major infestation that impacts all eight counties from Fond du Lac south to Racine, and another concentrated infestation in Brown county.  However, Sworak knows how fast the bug can move - especially with peoples help. 

Sworak told Pam Jahnke that if citizens don't pay attention to this insect its feasible that almost two thirds of trees seen in urban settings could be gone.  "If people remember what their streets looked like after "Dutch Elm Disease" hit - that's essentially what this insect could do to our cities and communities again."

Counties involved in existing quarantines restrict movement of all hardwood firewood and related products.  The insect was discovered in Detroit in 2002 - probably brought in on wooden pallets that came from Asia - and its successfully moved all the way to the Twin Cities as of last year.

Beginning Monday, May 3rd, DATCP staff will start putting out roughly 8,700 traps that will stay in place until September monitoring populations.  Wisconsin's survey is part of a national effort involving 48 other states and nearly 67,000 traps nationwide.

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