News: Clark County (Ash Borer - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

----Source: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 10/17/2018

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Clark County. EAB was recently confirmed I ash trees at Snyder County Park, Town of Hewett.

Ash borer adults are a bright metallic emerald green body with varying reddish reflections. The adult will lay eggs on the ash tree bark and when the eggs hatch, the larvae (immature beetles) bore into the bark and feed on the transportation tissues of the tree. This disrupts the movement of nutrients and water within the tree, girdling it and causing tree death.

The invasive EAB was discovered in North America in Michigan in June of 2002. The insect is native to East Asia and was accidently brought o the United States in wood of shipping crates from China.

EAB is an aggressive wood borer that attacks and kills all species of true ash. Ash trees of any size or age can be attacked and both healthy and unhealthy trees can be killed. Once the tree is infected and dying, removal may be the best option. Some localities have removed all ash trees in the city limits as a control.