Ash Borer

It's killing the trees of America. The emeral ash borer is an exotic beetle that was discovered i...  More »

It's killing the trees of America. The emeral ash borer is an exotic beetle that was discovered in 2002 near Detroit Michigan. Now this killing beetle is moving closer to the dakotas. The adult beetles nibble on foliage, while the larvae are known to feed on the inner bark. This effects the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Forest health specialist Aaron Bergdahl says you can't stop an exotic pest, and that it will probably reach North Dakota at some point in time. (Aaron Bergdahl / Forest Health Specialist) It's a common tree and when you start look around you, you can see just how common ash is. And losing that tree species from the landscape would be a pretty devestating blow to forests, parks and municipalities as well." There is the potential it will kill all the ash trees. But Bergdahl says it's likely some will escape the first wave of infestation. Bergdahl says human transport is the way the borer moves the farthest and the fastest. He says the best thing you can do is to not transport any firewood.  « Less