Officials with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Natural Resources today announced the first confirmed occurrence of emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive, destructive insect pest of ash trees, in Wisconsin.  The discovery was made by forest health specialists investigating a citizen report of dying ash trees in a private woodlot in Ozaukee County, near the Village of Newburg.

Officials announcing the find emphasized that the first steps in responding to the infestation will be to quarantine movement of hardwood firewood, ash nursery stock, timber or any other article that could spread EAB out of the infested area.  Following placement of the quarantine there will be a thorough survey of the area around the find to determine the size of the infestation, its boundaries, and the possible source.  Finding EAB at this location does not mean it is the origin of the infestation in Wisconsin.

For more information about emerald ash borer, go to Wisconsin’s Emerald Ash Borer Resource web