By Scout Nelson
The discovery of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in LaMoure County, nine miles north of Edgeley, this week was a turning point for North Dakota. First discovered in a trap, adult borers were later confirmed as larvae by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA). Thanks to this discovery, North Dakota is now the 37th state in the union to report having EAB.
Doug Goehring, the agriculture commissioner, said the state has been waiting a long time for the EAB to arrive because it has been doing public education and intensive monitoring of the pest for years. To stop the spread of EAB, the NDDA has placed a quarantine in LaMoure County. They stress the significance of obtaining firewood locally to prevent the bug from being transported.
State Forester Tom Claeys highlighted the significant threat posed by EAB, noting that North Dakota houses over 90 million ash trees, which constitute a substantial portion of urban and rural foliage. Without intervention, infested trees could perish within a few years.
In response to the outbreak, NDDA is working closely with the North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota State University Extension to assess the infestation's extent and continue educational outreach. Residents are encouraged to inspect their ash trees for typical signs of EAB infestation, such as canopy dieback, serpentine galleries under the bark, and D-shaped exit holes.
For high-value trees, insecticide treatments are advised, though only when EAB is detected within a 15-mile radius. Homeowners opting for treatment should employ certified applicators due to the restricted nature of most effective insecticides. As the community faces this new environmental challenge, the combined efforts of state agencies and residents will be crucial in managing the impact of the emerald ash borer on North Dakota's landscapes.
Photo Credit:north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, General