July 27, 2006
IDNR Bans Firewood from EAB Quarantine Areas
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced an emergency regulation that prohibits bringing to or using at IDNR sites, firewood from any area where quarantine has been imposed due to the discovery of the emerald ash borer (EAB). The new regulation, which is effective immediately, is intended to help prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer, particularly to any state park, fish and wildlife area, conservation area, recreation area, natural area or other property owned or managed by the IDNR.
The new regulation also bans the sale or distribution of firewood at IDNR sites unless authorized in writing by IDNR. Many state parks offer firewood for purchase through local vendors and concessionaires. Through these agreements, IDNR will be able to monitor and control the source of firewood. Visitors may be asked to forfeit firewood by site or campground personnel if it has been brought to state sites from EAB quarantine areas.
"Our message to campers, picnickers and other visitors to our state parks is clear – do not bring firewood to our parks if you know the wood is from an area under quarantine due to emerald ash borer," said IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood. "Whether you're coming to a state campground or having a family gathering at a park shelter, make sure you buy or bring only firewood that is well-seasoned and can be totally burned during your visit. With firewood, if you bring it, we want you to burn it before you leave the site. Consider using alternatives like charcoal and pre-fabricated logs that are available at retail outlets."
Transporting firewood is one way the emerald ash borer can be spread from areas with infested trees. Quarantines are imposed to prevent infested ash firewood, logs or nursery trees from being transported and starting new infestations.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture recently established a quarantine zone in Kane County, site of the first EAB infestation in the state. Movement of ash trees and ash materials out of the 51 square mile area is prohibited to control the spread of the invasive pest. IDOA also is conducting a tree survey of an EAB infestation in Wilmette, and will amend the boundaries of its quarantine to include this area of Cook County after the severity of the infestation has been determined. Areas of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio are under quarantine for EAB as well.
"Prevention is the only way to contain the spread of the emerald ash borer because no treatments currently exist to cure infested trees," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "The insect can fly only short distances on its own, so limiting the movement of firewood and other potentially-infested wood products is the single most important step we can take to prevent the introduction of the pest to new areas and protect our state's ash trees."
Emerald ash borer is an exotic non-native insect that was first discovered in the U.S. near Detroit, Michigan in 2002, and thought to have been transported from Asia in wood packing material shipped to the U.S. Adult beetles cause some damage to ash trees by eating foliage. The most significant damage is the result of EAB larvae feeding on the inner bark of ash trees, eventually killing the affected trees. More than 20 million trees are dead or dying in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio due to the damage causes by the pest.
In addition to the ban on firewood from quarantine areas being brought to or used at state sites, IDNR is participating in an expansion of the search for EAB through stepped up monitoring for the beetle at state sites throughout northern and central Illinois.
Citizens can also help in detecting EAB. The presence of the bug is difficult to detect in newly infested trees. Watch for beetles of a metallic-green color about half the diameter of a penny on or near ash trees that are showing signs of disease or stress. Signs of the beetles in ash trees also include D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and shoots growing from the base of the tree. Those who suspect EAB should contact their local county Cooperative Extension Service office.
For more information on EAB, check the web site at www.emeraldashborer.info.
IDNR Emergency Rule Regarding Firewood at State Sites:
Amendment to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 110: Public Use of State Parks and Other Properties of the Department of Natural Resources
"It shall be unlawful:
For any person to bring or possess on Department of Natural Resources properties firewood from any geographical area where wood exportation has been prohibited by either State or federal quarantine; or to sell or distribute firewood on Department properties without prior written agreement with the Department pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 150 – Regulations for the Letting of Concessions, Farm Leases, Sale of Buildings and Facilities, and Demolitions. Department staff may confiscate any firewood brought onto Department properties found to be in violation of this Part."
The new rule takes effect immediately and will be in effect for 150 days while a permanent rule is developed.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:33 AM | Permalink |
July 21, 2006
Emerald Ash Borer Found in Evanston
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today confirmed the emerald ash borer (EAB) has been located in Evanston.
The infestation was discovered by a City of Evanston Parks/Forestry Division employee while assisting in an extensive survey initiated as a result of an infestation in Wilmette. Beetles were found in seven trees located in Lovelace Park, located at Gross Point Road at Thayer Street in the far northwest area of Evanston. In addition, the emerald ash borer was discovered in a tree on private property on the east side of Gross Point Rd. at Thayer St.
EAB is a destructive, non-native pest that feasts on ash trees. The first case was detected in June in Kane County. A week ago, the insect was found in Wilmette. A quarantine zone has been established around 51 square miles of Kane County to contain the spread there. Once the survey in Cook County is complete, the quarantine will be amended to reflect the infestation in Wilmette and Evanston.
"The initial EAB find in Wilmette included 16 infested trees within a five block area," IDOA Division Manager of Natural Resources Warren Goetsch said. "We have now found 30 infested trees within two communities, all within a ¾ mile radius of the original detection. At this point we don't know how much farther the infestation will reach, but we can't stress enough how important community participation is in fighting the battle against the emerald ash borer."
"Evanston staff will promptly respond to all suspected sightings of the EAB," Douglas J. Gaynor, Director of the City of Evanston's Parks/Forestry and Recreation said Department, said. "After EAB was discovered in Wilmette, we received calls from residents to report suspected cases. At first, sightings were reported at intersections without any ash trees in the vicinity.
Residents are becoming better at recognizing ash trees and more of them know that the EAB is smaller than a penny. We expect the number of false sightings to decrease as more people become educated." Large posters with color photos and EAB information packets are on display at Evanston libraries and community centers. In addition, residents are encouraged to visit www.emeraldashborer.info to view photographs of the insect and learn more about the EAB's life cycle.
"The good news is residents and interest groups are on the lookout. The faster we can detect and respond to a positive case, the better chance we have of isolating and containing the pest," Mark Younger, the City of Evanston's Arborist, said.
The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die. While the beetle does not pose any direct risk to public health, it does threaten the tree population. Since the emerald ash borer was first confirmed in the Midwest in the summer of 2002, more than 20 million ash trees have died.
Evanston has 4,059 ash trees on its parkway and in its parks, which is about 12 percent of the city's 33,000 public trees. Additionally, there are thousands of ash trees on private property in Evanston. Ash trees were widely planted in the city and in much of northeast Illinois because they are fairly inexpensive and generally quite tolerant of soils and climate in this area.
In 1999, the City of Evanston created a policy whereby any tree species that made up more than 10 percent of the overall population would no longer be planted on public property. This means the City has not planted any new ash trees since 1999. This effort to further diversify the overall tree population was specifically aimed to minimize the effects of an infestation.
Evanston residents with questions are asked to visit the City's web site, www.cityofevanston.org, call the Evanston Parks/Forestry Division at 847-866-2912 or send an email to myounger@cityofevanston.org.
Steps residents can take:
The City of Evanston Parks/Forestry Division believes that public education about EAB offers the best hope for preventing its spread throughout the region. It is asking property owners to:
HELP MONITOR AND REPORT - Learn about EAB, check your ash trees for the pest and call us at (847) 866-2912 if you believe you have found either the insect or an infested ash tree. We'll respond promptly to all such calls.
STAY INFORMED AND FOLLOW DIRECTIVES FROM THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE- Check for periodic updates at these websites: www.cityofevanston.org, www.agr.state.il.us and www.emeraldashborer.info.
REFUSE TO MOVE FIREWOOD OR PURCHASE ASH WOOD - Use only local firewood (even when traveling), and burn the wood on site or leave it when you move on. Especially, don't bring firewood or logs from other states, or any areas that may become quarantined in Illinois, to Evanston. Do not purchase any firewood containing ash wood until further notice.
CARE FOR ASH TREES- Call the Parks/Forestry Division if a public ash tree seems sick or needs maintenance. Care for private trees routinely, using ISA-certified arborists when hiring tree care companies.
PLANT FOR DIVERSITY- Do not plant ash trees. Plant underutilized tree species instead.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:25 AM | Permalink |
July 19, 2006
EAB Quarantine Established in Kane County
The Illinois Department of Agriculture quarantined a 51 square mile area of Kane County today in an attempt to prevent the spread of the tree-killing emerald ash borer.
The quarantine was established after declaring trees infested with the small, metallic-green beetle a public nuisance. Together, the regulatory actions give the department the authority needed to begin containing the pest, which has devoured more than 20 million ash trees since it was first confirmed in the United States in the summer of 2002.
The quarantine encompasses property within a 3 ½ mile radius of the initial detection site east of Lily Lake in The Windings subdivision.
"An adult beetle is capable of flying half a mile per year, so the boundaries effectively represent seven years of possible migration from the detection site," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Considering the Kane County infestation is approximately three-to-five years old and no beetles have been found more than half a mile from the detection site, the department believes the quarantine is sufficient to prevent the pest from spreading."
The Kane County quarantine officially is bounded on the north by McDonald Road from one mile west of the western boundary of Plato Township to the eastern boundary of Plato Township; on the east by the Plato Township eastern boundary from McDonald Road south along the Campton Township eastern boundary and the Blackberry Township eastern boundary to Keslinger Road; on the south by Keslinger Road from the Blackberry Township eastern boundary to a point one mile west of the Blackberry Township western boundary; and on the west by a straight line from one mile west of the intersection of the Blackberry Township western boundary and Keslinger Road to the intersection of McDonald Road.
It prohibits the removal of the following items from the area:
The emerald ash borer in any living stage of development.
Ash trees of any size.
Ash limbs and branches.
Any cut, non-coniferous firewood.
Bark from ash trees and wood chips larger than one inch from ash trees.
Ash logs and lumber with either the bark or the outer one inch of sapwood, or both, attached.
Any item made from or containing the wood of the ash tree that is capable of spreading the emerald ash borer.
Any other article, product, or means of conveyance determined by the determined by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to present a risk of spreading the beetle infestation.
Anyone convicted of moving prohibited items from the quarantine area without prior certification by an Illinois Department of Agriculture nursery inspector may be fined up to $500.
The emerald ash borer was confirmed in Illinois June 9 after a homeowner discovered a beetle in a dying ash tree and submitted the bug to the United States Department of Agriculture for examination. An inspection of the neighborhood identified 20 other infested trees.
A second infestation was detected July 12 in the Cook County village of Wilmette. A survey has begun to determine the extent of the damage, but a preliminary inspection found 16 infested trees within a five-block area.
The emerald ash borer is difficult to detect. Signs of infestation include the presence of half-inch long, metallic-green beetles on or around ash trees, thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and shoots growing from the base of a tree. Anyone who suspects a tree has been infested is urged to call a local arborist, their county Extension office or the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 1-800-641-3934.
By declaring a public nuisance, the department now has the ability to remove beetle-infested trees, which, in most instances, is the only treatment option.
"The last thing we want to do right now, however, is disturb the beetles' environment," IDOA division manager of Natural Resources Warren Goetsch said. "The emerald ash borer is in the midst of its flight season, and removing host trees might cause the pest to travel to new areas. The best approach is to wait until after the adult beetles die in August and then remove trees infested with their eggs and larvae this fall."
Under the Illinois Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act, homeowners are responsible for the cost of tree removal, but the department is trying to obtain public funds to pay these expenses. A grant proposal has been submitted to the United State Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The emerald ash borer poses no risk to public health. Inspectors have not determined how it arrived in Illinois, but suspect it may have been transported here in contaminated firewood. To avoid the accidental introduction of the beetle to new areas, Illinoisans are advised to purchase only locally grown nursery stock and locally cut firewood.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:58 AM | Permalink |
