Frequently Asked Questions

Surveys to determine the extent of the infestation will take several months. When the extent of the population is known, an appropriate management option can and will be selected among those described in the Wisconsin EAB Response Plan. This plan can be viewed online at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov. Also, an EAB quarantine is in place for Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties to limit the spread of this insect on firewood and ash products. Stay updated on current quarantine information online at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov or at the DNR Firewood Information Line at 1-800-303-WOOD.

As of August, 2008, EAB had been found in Ozaukee and Washington Counties in Wisconsin, in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada. Small infestations have also been eradicated from Virginia. A federal quarantine is in place for all hardwood firewood, ash logs and trimmings and ash nursery stock in states and counties known to be infested with EAB. Anyone moving firewood or ash products from these states or counties is subject to state and federal fines up to $1,000.00. Note: the Wisconsin quarantines include four counties: Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan. Stay updated on current quarantine information online at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov or at the DNR Firewood Information Line at 1-800-303-WOOD.

The adult beetle is dark metallic green and about one-half inch long.

Crown dieback, sprouting, bark spilts, woodpecker feeding, d-shaped emergence holes, s-shaped larval galleries, …

All sizes and even very healthy ash trees can be killed. All of Wisconsin's native ash trees (green, white, blue and black ash), as well as many horticultural cultivars (cultivated varieties of ash or hybrids between species of ash), are susceptible to EAB infestation.

Movement of firewood is the most common way EAB is being spread today. EAB has also moved on nursery stock or logs in the past. On its own, EAB is a slow moving insect, traveling short distances by flying. Adults typically do not fly far from where they emerge, but this depends on the availability of food (ash trees). In Michigan, studies have shown that the vast majority of insects fly 1.5 – 2 miles from where they emerge.

Do not move firewood. Obtain it near where you will use it. Educate yourself on how to recognize ash trees, EAB and its “look-alikes”, and the signs and symptoms of EAB infestations. Report possible findings of EAB by calling 1-800-462-2803.

The native range of EAB is eastern Russia, northern China, Japan and Korea.

It likely arrived in the early 1990’s. EAB was first identified in southeast Michigan in 2002.

We don't know exactly, but it most likely traveled in ash wood used for stabilizing cargo in ships or for packing consumer products.

The larval stage of EAB feeds under the bark of trees, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. Infested trees gradually die over a 3-5 year period.

There is a national effort to limit the spread and impact of EAB and the plan helps guide federal, state and local management efforts. Infested areas are quarantined to prevent movement of EAB on firewood and other ash products that can carry it. Many states are educating the public on the dangers of moving firewood; the primary way EAB and many other invasive pests and diseases of trees are spreading. Ongoing research and development of safe and effective pesticides, traps, and other management strategies is taking place at state and national levels.

About 20 percent of our street trees are ash, and the loss of these trees would be devastating to many communities and very expensive to remove and replace. There are also approximately 727 million ash trees in Wisconsin's forests. Ash is an important species in our northern and southern forests and a key component of forests growing in wet areas including swamps and along river ways. Wisconsin's forest industry also relies on ash for paper, furniture, millwork and dozens of other forest products.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the DNR, U.S. Forest Service, the University of Wisconsin and other state and local agencies and groups are working together to educate the public and manage infestations. State quarantines are in place prohibiting the movement of firewood and ash products out of Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties. Alerting the public to the risk of moving firewood and spreading EAB is key to slowing the spread. Each infestation found is carefully evaluated to determine the most appropriate options. Decisions on whether or not to remove trees from an area will be made on a case by case basis depending on the site, the extent of the infestation, and the likely source. Wisconsin’s EAB Response Plan can be viewed online at: www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov

A variety of insecticide products are available to homeowners and arborists for control of emerald ash borer. University of Wisconsin-Extension entomologists suggest treatment only for ash trees located within 10 to 12 miles of a confirmed EAB site or for trees located within a quarantined area. Even within these areas, each situation should be evaluated before making a decision. Treating an ash tree is a decision that is solely up to the tree-owner. Individuals are encouraged to thoroughly research the various options and carefully weigh the costs associated with repeated treatments. More information on this topic is available at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov then going to the link: Insecticide Options and Effectiveness.

Note: Management actions taken by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may or may not include removal of treated ash trees. The EAB response plan does recognize the value of treating trees in potentially slowing the development of an EAB population, thus, treated trees may be considered part of a management program.

In general, having a diversity of species in your yard, on your street or in your community is your best defense against all tree health problems. If ash comprises 10 percent or more of the tree species in your local area, it would be best to choose an alternative. Ongoing studies are testing native ash and cultivars for resistance to EAB feeding injury. Results are preliminary; resistant cultivars may be available at a future date. Check with your state or county horticultural extension agent for the latest information.

Because EAB has only been detected in Wisconsin in a localized area of Ozaukee and Washington Counties, most people need not change their scheduled timber management activities. During regularly scheduled harvest activities, consider maintaining ash at no more than 5-10 trees per acre or at the minimum basal area allowable by your forest management plan. If EAB reaches your stand, the lower density will reduce the economic impact and may slow the spread of the insect. Areas close to infestations (but outside of eradication areas) may benefit from accelerating ash harvest activities to reduce the amount of food or host material available for the insect. Management options are currently being developed; check with your DNR forest health specialist for the most up-to-date information.

Consider limiting ash to 10 percent of the total species mix. Diversity is the key.

Work with your forester to determine what your options are for reducing the susceptibility of your forest to mortality. If an alternative plan maintains the health and sustainability of the forest, the plan may be amended with Department approval.

The DNR will work with landowners to stay in the MFL program by providing options for bringing your property back into compliance. This will likely involve an amendment to your MFL plan that includes options for reforesting the affected area within a reasonable amount of time. The options for bringing the property back into compliance and the time allotted for this activity will vary by site.

A DNR forester will work with you to determine whether or not moving the harvest date to an earlier year and/or including other species in the harvest is appropriate for maintaining a healthy, sustainable forest. This type of change in your plan can be conducted by writing an amendment to your plan. Both you and the Department must agree to any amendment.

At this time it is most likely not necessary to change your planned harvest date. Properties that are closest to the infestation will be at greatest risk for mortality and it may be appropriate to accelerate a planned harvest there. Stay informed on where EAB has been found; guidelines will be formulated based on the development of the infestation.

You may apply for cost-sharing (50%) through the Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program for noncommercial activities such as site preparation and planting. Contact your DNR forester for further information.

If you receive monetary value for the ash that is cut from your property as part of a state response action, you will have to pay a yield tax on material that is >5" in diameter. The tax will be based on the value of the type of product. If you do not receive monetary value for ash that is cut, you may or may not have to pay a yield tax. The DNR is currently reviewing the rules related to this issue.