| |
The
Tennessee Department of Agriculture has announced the discovery of emerald
ash borer (EAB), the first detection of the destructive tree pest in the
state. The discovery was made at a truck stop in Knox County near the Loudon
County line.
After receiving a report of a suspected find, state and federal officials
collected specimens from infested logs for submission to the U.S. Department
of Agriculture for positive identification. USDA confirmed the find late
last week.
“We knew EAB could potentially reach Tennessee, and we’re prepared to help
slow the spread of the infestation and protect our forest resources.” said
state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “We will be working closely with
federal officials and other stakeholders to determine the extent of the
infestation and to take steps to limit its spread.”
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry estimates that
10 million urban ash trees in Tennessee are potentially at risk from EAB.
The risk represents an estimated value loss of $2 billion. There are an
estimated 261 million ash trees on Tennessee public and private timberland
potentially valued as high as $9 billion.
In response to the find, TDA plans to issue a quarantine in Knox and Loudon
counties prohibiting the movement of firewood, ash nursery stock, ash timber
and other material that can spread EAB. TDA plant inspectors and foresters
will conduct a thorough survey of trees in the areas to assess the extent of
the infestation. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is
working closely with TDA in response and will likely issue a federal
quarantine in the coming days in support of national efforts to control the
spread of EAB.
EAB attacks only ash trees. It is believed to have been introduced into the
Detroit, Mich. area 15 to 20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia.
Since then, the destructive insect has been found also in Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. |
|