The emerald ash borer was discovered in western MA a couple years ago. It’s disappointing but no big surprise that it’s been discovered in eastern MA. Details of the Essex County quarantine via the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (links added):
Following the discovery of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis, “EAB”) this past fall in North Andover, MA, Officials from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have announced that a quarantine will be established in Essex County beginning April 1, 2014.
Emerald ash borer is an invasive wood-boring pest that attacks ash trees. It is responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of ash throughout the US. Federal authorities have determined that while eradication of EAB is not feasible, quarantine is an important step in slowing the spread of this pest, allowing communities to prepare in advance and make the best decisions about how to manage ash trees before they are impacted.
The quarantine order means that certain products will be restricted from moving outside the regulated area, including all hardwood firewood (any piece of wood smaller than 48″), all ash nursery stock, and any ash lumber that has not been treated. Proper wood treatments include the removal of bark and half an inch of wood, dry kiln sterilization, fumigation, and heat treatments.
To prevent the inadvertent spread of forest pests like EAB and Asian longhorned beetle, avoid moving untreated firewood long distances, find local and trusted firewood suppliers, or purchase firewood that is certified to have been treated to destroy insects and pathogens.
Massachusetts is one of 22 states to have discovered EAB within its borders. In August 2012, EAB was detected in Dalton, leading to a quarantine of Berkshire County.
For more information about the quarantine, please see the official DCR press release:
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/news/2014/2013-3-26pr.pdf
Helpful Resources:
– General EAB info: http://www.emeraldashborer.info
– To report a possible EAB Sighting in Massachusetts: http://massnrc.org/pests/report.aspx
– Sign up for Mass. Wasp Watchers, a volunteer Emerald Ash Borer biosurveillance program: http://bit.ly/waspwatchma