Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is of Asian origin. It was first noticed within North America’s borders in 2002 when it was identified in Michigan. The United States Forest Service (USFS) predicts that infested wood packing material carried the bug to the Western Hemisphere. In the two decades since, EAB has invaded 37 states in the U.S.A.-including Minnesota. It was detected in the Twin Cities and the southeastern portion of the state beginning in 2009. On October 7, 2015, it was confirmed that EAB was in Washington County.

The life cycle of EAB is similar to that of other beetle species. First, a larva hatches from its egg that was placed in a crack of any ash tree. Immediately after, it will chew through the bark, creating curvy galleries. As an EAB larva does this, they block the tree’s flow of water and nutrients. Next, the beetle establishes its winter habitat inside of the trunk. When springtime arrives, it exits the tree as a winged bug. From there, an average EAB will live for three weeks. If it is a male, it will munch on the point where they have to be removed or they become very hazardous.”

1,725 trees stand in the turf areas of Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Oakdale, MN. 470 of those organisms are ash trees. “Ash trees make up 27% of the trees in our mowed turf areas…But there’s also a lot on our borders and out in the grassland areas. So, there’s a lot more than just that 470.” Dan MacSwain the Washington County Natural Resource Coordinator told The Journal about Lake Elmo Park Reserve in an interview.

Ash trees are common at the county park due to the “intensive” and “intentional” planting of them that occurred in the 1980s. Today, some of those trees are wrapped with green tape that reads, “EMERALD ASH BORER KILLS ASH TREES.”

MacSwain revealed that the labeled plants are not infested with EAB. “We put that flagging up to bring awareness to people because a lot of people…don’t even know what an ash tree looks like,” he detailed. “So, we wanted to get people familiar that there are a lot of ash trees in the park and…we’re removing them when we can Quarantine. This entails that it is illegal for ash logs, ash tree waste, ash chips and mulch, and all non-coniferous firewood to be transported to Minnesota. Additionally, one cannot legally convey these articles outside of quarantine borders. To learn more about the EAB Quarantines occurring in the state, on can navigate to mda.state. mn.us/plants-insects/emerald- ash-borer-quarantine.

Readers may own ash trees in their front and/or backyard. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) encourages them to be “proactive” in caring for them. Their official website teaches, “Ash trees can be treated with an insecticide to prevent infestation by EAB.”

If one deems these measures as unfavorable, they should consider removal. Professional tree care companies can rid one of their ash tree(s). The MN DNR warns, “Waiting to remove your tree once it has become heavily infested or dead will end up costing you more money because these trees are difficult to cut down.”

There is no need for one to feel guilty upon ridding their yard of an ash tree. “The key