USAgNet.com

This week is Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in North Dakota.

Native to Asia, the emerald ash borer (EAB) attacks true ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). The larvae feed under the bark, disrupting the movement of water and nutrients and killing the tree within several years. EAB has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in the United States over the past decade.

"EAB is found in 35 states, including our neighbors, Minnesota and South Dakota," said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. "The newest find, a mere 130 miles from Fargo, was in Sauk Centre, MN. Given the traffic between our states and Canada, it is more important than ever for North Dakotans to take action to prevent it from coming here."

North Dakota has more than 95 million ash trees. Based on tree inventories in 99 North Dakota communities, ash trees make up between 20 percent to 80 percent of trees along streets and in city parks. They are also found in rural plantings and native forest areas.

"EAB spreads slowly on its own, but it can be moved long distances in firewood and ash nursery stock," State Forester Tom Claeys said. "Please buy your firewood from local sources, and if you are coming from out of the state, please don't bring firewood with you."

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