Emerald Ash Borer Found in Sherburne County

(KNSI) – An invasive pest decimating trees across the country has now spread to Sherburne County.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says emerald ash borer larvae were found by a tree company in Elk River. Officials say the insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk.

Since it is the first time the bug has been found in Sherburne County, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine which limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the county. Quarantines are placed in all infested areas to reduce the risk of spreading the tree-killing insect.

MDA says there are two main signs of EAB infestation. One is woodpeckers chipping away on trees because they like to feed on the EAB larvae. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.

A virtual informational meeting for Sherburne County residents and tree care professionals will be held on Wednesday, September 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

The discovery brings the total infested counties to 36 counties, including Kandiyohi, Stearns and Wright in central Minnesota. EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009.

For more information or to register for the meeting, click here.

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