Parks & Forestry

Ash Trees in Fitchburg Face Grim Future

beetle In August 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Wisconsin. Emerald ash borer, a nonnative, invasive beetle from Asia and Russia, thus far has killed more than 70 million ash trees, mostly in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Emerald ash borer larvae were found in ash trees in a private woodlot in the township of Saukville in Ozaukee County northeast of Milwaukee. Days later the beetle was detected in neighboring Washington County. In 2009 it was found in five more Wisconsin counties: Vernon, Crawford, Brown, Milwaukee, and Kenosha.

Map - Emerald Ash Borer Locations

Emerald ash borer has not yet been detected in Dane County. But given that steps to contain its spread have not worked, if not here already, scientists expect the beetle could be found somewhere in the county in two to four years. The statewide detection program does not include ash trees on private land. Calls from private property owners in Saukville and in Vernon County led to discoveries of the beetle at those locations. The thousands of detection traps state agencies deployed the past two years have been along highways, at rest stops, local and state parks, and other public areas. Therefore, emerald ash borer could be present in counties where it has not been officially detected.

Waiting to deal with emerald ash borer until it gets here and begins killing trees could be a mistake. That approach will cost significantly more, endanger public safety, and disrupt daily city management. The information that follows is divided into four sections, with pictures and links to helpful websites along the way:

Basic information on emerald ash borer: how it kills trees, how it spreads, and the prognosis for preventing widespread damage
Information for property owners: how to identify an ash tree, treatment options for a healthy tree, signs that a tree is infested with emerald ash borer, whom to contact if you suspect you have an infested tree, and city regulations pertaining to diseased trees on private property.
EAB in Fitchburg: ash tree abundance and distribution along streets, in parks, and on other City property; and how the City intends on dealing with emerald ash borer
Steps you can take to slow the spread of emerald ash borer

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Additional Information on the Web

Nationwide EAB site: www.emeraldashborerinfo.org

Wisconsin EAB website: www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov

Wisconsin DNR website: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/forestry/FH/Ash/

University of Wisconsin Extension: http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/emeraldashborer/

City of Fitchburg Contacts

Ed Bartell

Fitchburg City Forester

(608) 270-4289

ed.bartell@city.fitchburg.wi.us

Scott Endl