Minnesotans encouraged to observe Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week

St. Paul, Minn. – Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed this week Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. The designation is part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the destructive nature of emerald ash borer (EAB) and to share with Minnesotans the “three Ps of EAB” – prepare, protect, and plant.

During EAB Awareness Week, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is urging residents and cities to prepare for EAB by knowing the signs and symptoms, and being ready to act if their trees become infested. Management options for EAB-infested trees include removal, treatment, or taking no action. If a property owner choses to take no action for an EAB-infested tree, it should be noted that local governments often require removal of trees deemed hazardous.

MDA is also advising residents to protect areas not yet infested with emerald ash borer by not moving firewood as EAB can be transported from one location to another via firewood. Residents are also asked to be aware of the restrictions associated with the EAB quarantines now in place for Hennepin, Ramsey and Winona Counties. Precautionary insecticide treatments are an option to protect at-risk ash trees, but MDA recommends that consumers only treat trees within 15 miles of a known infestation.

Finally, MDA is advising residents to react to EAB and other invasive tree pests by planting a variety of native trees.

EAB has been found in four counties in Minnesota: Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey and Winona counties. Winona County is partnering with MDA to host EAB tours at Great River Bluff State Park. The tours will take place on Saturday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. and again at 12:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m.

MDA will place signs around ash trees on the Capitol grounds to help raise awareness and help others identify which trees are ash trees and therefore susceptible to EAB.

“With nearly one billion ash trees in Minnesota, EAB is a major threat to our tourism and lumber industries, our natural landscapes and our recreational areas,” says MDA Plant Protection Division Director Geir Friisoe. “It’s important for property owners to know what management options are available, and be prepared to act when EAB attacks their trees.”  

For more details on EAB, visit MDA’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.aspx. Or contact us at arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us.