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Fairfax trees quarantined
Two new infestations of emerald ash borer (EAB) were recently discovered and confirmed in ash trees in the town of Herndon and the Newington area, both in Fairfax County.
As of July 14, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) placed a quarantine on Fairfax County to prevent the artificial spread of EAB to uninfested areas of the commonwealth.
The quarantine prohibits the movement of uncertified articles from Fairfax County that pose a significant threat of transporting EAB, including ash trees, green (non-heat treated) ash lumber and ash wood products, as well as hardwood firewood.
The tiny emerald ash borer, named for its metallic green color, attacks ash trees with disastrous results. It is a highly destructive, invasive species that has already killed millions of ash trees in Michigan and Ohio and may ultimately cost billions of dollars for tree removal and replacement.
This is the second finding of EAB in Virginia. The first, which occurred in Fairfax County in 2003, was successfully eradicated.
The two new infestations appear to have become established already, complicating any eradication efforts at these new sites. Since EAB has no native predators in North America, it is very difficult to control the spread once infestation takes place. The pests may be spread accidentally to new locations by people moving firewood from one location to another.
Violations of the state quarantine constitute Class 1 misdemeanors.
For additional information about the emerald ash borer and actions taken to combat its spread, see http://na.fs.fed.us/firewood/ or call (804) 786-3515.
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