Nearness to county line indicates probability it is also in Marion Co.
The emerald ash borer, an exotic species of beetle that destroys
ash trees, has now been confirmed at a location in Hamilton Co. The site is within a hundred yards of the Marion Co. line
and has been there for seven years. Therefore, the DNR today issued an emergency order that officially restricts the movement
of ash products in Hamilton and Marion Counties.
DNR director
Kyle Hupfer said the state’s legal restrictions “prohibit transportation of ash trees and most ash tree products
out of the infected counties. This includes nursery stock, logs or untreated lumber with the bark attached, any type of firewood
except for pine, and any composted or uncomposted ash chips or bark chips that are one inch or larger.”
Hupfer
said these measures are designed to slow the spread of the infestation while federal and university scientists look for ways
to permanently eradicate the pest from the U.S.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation is along the side
of Hazel Dell Parkway between 96th St. and 106th St. Carmel’s urban forest specialist found the
infestation while trimming the ash trees. Samples of the insect were sent to an expert at the U. S. Department of Agriculture
who has since confirmed that the specimens were emerald ash borer.
Carmel City Forester Scott Brewer today expressed the city’s
concerns. “The city views our woodlands and street trees as valuable assets; we will certainly do what we can to identify
the scope of this pest and work to limit its spread.”
Brewer also announced the city would hold a public meeting,
in conjunction with the DNR, about the EAB infestation as soon as more is known.
The infestation
is within a few dozen yards of the Marion Co. line and, so is presumed to have traveled into Marion County as well. Therefore,
the official restrictions have also been placed on Marion Co. The City of Indianapolis has indicated its willingness to cooperate
with state and private developers to begin working to slow the spread of the EAB.
“We realize it may only be a matter of time until a
confirmed site is found in Marion County” said Indy Parks administrator Jason Kissel. “Therefore, we are prepared
to begin work today with public and private local property owners on plan to plant a diversity of trees and slow the spread
of this infestation.”
Earlier infestations in Indiana have been found in LaGrange,
Steuben, Randolph and Adams counties. Large infestations are also present in Michigan, Ohio and Canada.
DNR personnel and others will begin surveying the area around
the new find at the end of the month. Residents of the area should be able to easily identify these workers who will be wearing
distinctive clothing. The survey will determine the number of ash trees in the immediate vicinity, and the extent of the infestation.
Jodie Ellis, the exotic insects education
coordinator at Purdue University said the infestation is about seven years old. "This find is not evidence that emerald ash
borer is spreading throughout Indiana," she said. "What it means is that this particular pocket of infestation has been here
for a while and is just now old enough to be detected. This infestation occurred
before EAB was first found in Detroit and is the result of the unintentional movement of EAB-infested nursery stock.”
Ellis said it's hard to pinpoint where
exactly EAB is in the state because it often takes two to three years for ash trees to show symptoms of EAB infestations.
State Entomologist Dr. Robert Waltz
said homeowners can play a part in slowing the spread of the EAB. "We rely on local residents, foresters, loggers, tree removal
or trimming crews and others to report possibly infected sites," Waltz said. "The public also can help us slow the spread
of this insect by not moving firewood and by burning all campfire wood when they are visiting campgrounds."
DNR Director Hupfer also warned people
in the restricted areas about possible scam artists. “Unfortunately, certain
individuals see the emerald ash borer problem as an opportunity to make some fast cash," she said. "If someone comes to your
home claiming to be able to 'cure' your ash trees of EAB, be suspicious. If someone tells you that your ash trees are infested
and that he or she will cut them down for a price, take their name and number and report them to the DNR.”
Residents who see evidence of the
emerald ash borer should contact Ellis at (888) EXT-INFO or the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Hotline
at (866) NO-EXOTIC.
The adult emerald ash borer is slender
and a bright, metallic, coppery-green color. It is about one-third of an inch long, making it difficult to spot in tree leaves. The adult form of the insect is only visible during the summer months. During the cooler months, EAB is in its larval, or immature, form and can only be found under the bark
of ash trees. Emerald ash borer larvae destroy live ash trees by eating the vascular
tissue which supplies nutrients to the tree, Ellis said.
It's difficult to distinguish damage
from emerald ash borer from damage caused by the many native borer insects that attack ash. Two of the main ways to distinguish
the emerald ash borer from native species are by the characteristic D-shaped exit holes in the main trunk and the presence
of S-shaped feeding tunnels beneath the bark. Other symptoms include vertical splits in the bark and increased woodpecker
activity.
Additional information and photos
of the EAB are available at Purdue's Web site at http://www.entm.purdue.edu/eab/.
Reporter contacts: Robert Waltz, (317) 232-4120,
bwaltz@dnr.state.in.us
Jodie Ellis, (765) 494-0822, ellisj@purdue.edu
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