Firewood likely cause of Emerald Ash Borer infestation in Brookings

BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — The Emerald Ash borer is relentless. As the name suggests, it bores holes in ash trees and eventually kills them. Experts say the infestation in Brookings likely got there by someone bringing in infested firewood.

John Ball, the South Dakota Ag Department’s Forest Health Specialist, says you have a decision to make when the Ash Borer gets to your yard. Treat the tree and save it, or cut it down.

“What we were able to calculate. If you’ve got an ash tree that’s about this big in diameter or bigger, it pays to treat. Because the cost of treating a tree this size over 25 years will equal the cost of removal, you’ll have that shade, and you will have everything you want out of an ash tree. Now, if the ash tree is this big in diameter, there is no question, cut it down,” said Ball.

Ball says the Ash Borer primarily spreads through the transportation of firewood.

“It doesn’t take much wood being moved,” said Ball. “But let me also say this: South Dakotans have done an incredibly good job following their quarantine. We quarantined Minnehaha County right away, we did Lincoln, we did Union, that has really slowed the spread.”

Ball says if you live in KELOLAND, eventually the Ash Borer will make it’s way to your town, but there is no reason to panic.

“I get people asking should I start treating them now? No, not until we tell you that we’ve found it in your town,” said Ball. “So, if you live in Yankton, Watertown, we know we are going to be having this conversation within five years in those communities, but not yet, so let’s just wait until we find it.”

According to the city of Sioux Falls, treatment for your ash tree will run $150 to $350 every two to three years. If you don’t treat your ash tree, it will die within 10 years.

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