BISMARCK, N.D. – Emerald ash borer was detected this week by Bismarck city forestry staff while removing declining ash trees. This is the first detection in central North Dakota. Emerald ash borer has also been found in Cass and LaMoure counties.
Emerald ash borer is a wood boring insect originally from Asia which was first found in the U.S. in 2002. It has since spread to 38 states and killed hundreds of millions of ash trees. Emerald ash borer adults do not fly more than a mile or two on their own; however, they can be moved long distances through the movement of firewood, tree trimmings and ash nursery stock.
“As emerald ash borer continues to spread, landowners should be diligent in monitoring ash trees for indicators of emerald ash borer,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Suspect infestations can be reported by going to our website. State or local personnel will follow up with the submitter.”
Signs of infestation include canopy thinning, leafy sprouts shooting from the trunk or main branches, S-shaped galleries under the bark, bark splitting, woodpecker damage and D-shaped exit holes. For more information on what to look for, go to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture's Emerald ash borer webpage.
“The city of Bismarck has been preparing for the eventual arrival of emerald ash borer for many years. Since 2008, the city has reduced its boulevard ash population from 36% to 22% by removing poor condition ash trees and diversifying the urban canopy through ongoing planting efforts,” Bismarck City Forester Christy Ames-Davis said. “Bismarck maintains a list of licensed arborists that may be available to assess or treat trees for emerald ash borer.”
North Dakota has more than 90 million ash trees in native and rural forests, and ash trees make up between 20% to 80% of the trees along city streets and parks. Unless treated, infested ash trees can be killed in a few years. Treatments are not recommended until EAB is detected within 15 miles. Residents who choose to treat their ash trees are strongly urged to select a reputable tree service company with a certified applicator able to do these treatments. A list of licensed Bismarck-area arborists may be found on the city of Bismarck website.
Once an area is infested, the movement of regulated materials from that area is restricted. Burleigh County will now be added to the list of counties that are quarantined, and regulated materials may not be moved out of the county, including all hardwood firewood, ash logs and branches, nursery stock and wood chips. Moving regulated materials from a quarantined to a non-quarantined area without a permit can result in civil penalties of up to $5,000. Other counties that are quarantined in North Dakota and other states may be found on the NDDA website.
For more information about emerald ash borer, what to look for in ash trees and possible treatments, visit the Emerald ash borer webpage. To report suspect infestations, use the same link, leave a voicemail at 701-328-5110, option 2, or email reportapest@nd.gov.