Be on the Lookout for Emerald Ash Borers

The emerald ash borer is no longer a distant threat. It’s been found in Shoreview, two separate areas in Minneapolis and other Minnesota locations since it was first spotted in 2009. It was most recently spotted Feb. 1 in Lakewood Cemetery near Lake Calhoun.

The City of Minnetonka is urging residents to be vigilant in monitoring their ash trees’ condition—particularly since identification of an infested ash tree could take years before any signs are seen and confirmed.

Residents should also not bring in firewood from quarantined counties—Hennepin, Ramsey, Huston, and Winona County—unless it’s certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

“Quarantines are in place and being enforced in these communities to slow the spread of the insect,” the city wrote in a release on the subject.

Residents can determine if they have an ash tree, learn more about the emerald ash borer, see what the damage looks like receive updates by visiting the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.

A handout on How to Protect Ash Trees also offers management information.