The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald Ash Borer in Carver and Sibley Counties. That is the 24th and 25th Counties in Minnesota where Emerald Ash Borer has been found. There was a tree care professional working north of Belle Plaine and noticed several ash trees with symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer. It was reported to the MDA and staff confirmed Emerald Ash Borer larvae in trees on both sides of the County boarder.

Emerald Ash Borer larvae tunnel under the bark feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. This in time will kill the ash tree. Because this is the first time Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in Carver and Sibley Counties the MDA has enacted an emergency quarantine to limit the movement of firewood and ash material out of those Counties. The Emerald Ash Borer mainly spreads by moving Ash Tree firewood with Emerald Ash Borer larvae under the bark.

So, play it safe and do not move firewood from an Ash Tree! Minnesota has more than one billion Ash Trees which is the most of any state in the nation. The Ash Trees were planted after Dutch Elm Disease killed almost all those big Elm Trees in Minnesota. It sure would be a shame to see all our Ash Trees die too!

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