Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in Lakeville

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed an emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in the City of Lakeville.

Woodpecker holes and outer bark removal are the most common visual symptoms to detect EAB, both of which are evident on the infested ash tree found in Lakeville. When the bark was pulled back, the S-shaped galleries and larvae were found in the tree, confirming the presence of the insect.

All the communities in Dakota County have been under a quarantine since 2014, when it was first detected in Eagan. The quarantine limits the movement of firewood and ash tree material out of the county. This reduces the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.

Emerald ash borer larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. The invasive insect was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in 30 states. Minnesota is very susceptible to the destruction caused by EAB because there are approximately one billion ash trees, the most of any state in the nation. There are currently 16 other Minnesota counties under full or partial quarantine to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer.

The City of Lakeville is finalizing public and private ash counts along with a prioritized plan. The City will provide an open house for residents and business owners to assist in their preparedness and to answer questions. It is possible to protect high-value ash trees, which is one of the topics that will be discussed at the City’s open house. The time and date will be announced on the City website, on social media and in the newspaper, Sun Thisweek.

There are three easy steps residents can take to keep EAB from spreading:

• Do not transport firewood or ash tree material. Buy or collect firewood locally from approved vendors, and burn it where you buy it;
• Be aware of quarantine restrictions. If you live in a quarantined county, be aware of the restrictions on movement of products such as ash trees, wood chips, and firewood; and,
• Watch your ash trees for infestation. If you think your ash tree is infested, go to http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.aspx and use the “Does my tree have Emerald Ash Borer?” guide. This guide will also help you determine if the tree in question is an ash tree. Suspect infestations with woodpecker activity can be reported to the City’s Forester at 952-985-2724.

For more information on EAB, go to the MDA or City’s website lakevillemn.gov.