|
"After the first EAB
detection in Kane County, we have received hundreds of calls from
around the state to report suspected cases," Agriculture Director
Chuck Hartke said. "We were well aware it was only a matter of time
before another case was confirmed. The good news is residents and
interest groups statewide are on the lookout, and the faster we can
detect and respond to a positive case, the better chance we have of
isolating and containing the pest." 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.
"We can't stress enough how important community participation is
in fighting the battle against the emerald ash borer," said Warren
Goetsch, division manager of natural resources for the Illinois
Department of Agriculture. "Because of the rapid response to the
infestation in Kane County, we may have kept the beetle from
spreading outside a half-mile area of the original detection. We are
in the process of laying out quarantine zones and working to contain
the beetle within that area. Now, our coordinated response plan has
been activated in Wilmette, and we're working with local and federal
partners to determine the extent of the damage in order to limit the
spread."
A resident discovered the beetle earlier last week and alerted
the Wilmette Forestry Department. After foresters examined the
suspect tree they immediately contacted the U.S. States Department
of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. The bug was
sent to the USDA lab in Romulus, Mich., for identification, and the
lab notified Illinois Department of Agriculture nursery inspectors.
Inspectors visited the location where the beetle was found and
discovered several infested ash trees. Upon initial survey, Illinois
Agriculture Department and village forestry officials found suspect
trees in approximately a five-block area, with as many as 16 trees
exhibiting symptoms of emerald ash borer infestation. A more
extensive survey of the area will begin to assess the full extent of
the infestation.
[to top of second column]
 |
"This beetle is a serious threat to our residences and landscapes in
Wilmette," Village President Chris Canning said. "We will do
whatever is necessary to work with our homeowners and state
officials to contain this pest and protect the healthy trees in our
neighborhoods from future damage." There are more than 18,600
trees on Wilmette village parkways, encompassing over 150 species
and subspecies, of which 2,818 are ash. In light of the threat of
the emerald ash borer, the village has not added any ash trees to
its parkway tree inventory since 2003. The village has four
foresters on staff who are all certified arborists. Wilmette has
been a certified Tree City for the past 22 years, receiving 11
growth awards from the National Arbor Day Foundation for excellence
in tree care.
Inspectors have not determined how the beetle arrived in
Illinois, but they suspect it may have been transported here in
contaminated firewood from a quarantined area in Michigan. Michigan
and Illinois are two of the five states where emerald ash borer
infestations have been confirmed. The others are Indiana, Ohio and
Maryland.
The emerald ash borer typically moves only short distances by
flying but can survive long distances in transit on ash nursery
stock, ash logs, branches and firewood. To avoid the accidental
introduction of the beetle to new areas, people are advised to
purchase only locally grown nursery stock and locally cut firewood.
The emerald ash borer is difficult to detect in newly infested
trees. Signs of infestation include the presence of metallic-green
beetles about half the diameter of a penny 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 the tree.
Anyone who suspects a tree has been infested is urged to first
contact their county Extension office. The Illinois Department of
Agriculture also will offer a toll-free line at (800) 641-3934 for
Extension-confirmed infestations.
Options for treating infested trees are limited. In most
instances, they must be removed.
Wilmette residents with questions are asked to visit the village
website, http://wilmette.com/, or
contact the Wilmette Forestry Department at (847) 853-7500 or
forestry@wilmette.com.
[Illinois
Department of Agriculture news release] |
