Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive wood-boring beetle first detected in the U.S. near Detroit, Michigan in 2002. Since that time, EAB has killed millions of ash trees. All ash trees native to Minnesota are considered highly susceptible to EAB. Minnesota has about one billion ash trees in our forests, and ash accounts for about 15 percent of trees in the average community (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2010).
Clay County residents who live in an incorporated city will contact their city for disposal of Emerald Ash Borer affected wood waste.
Clay County rural residents will burn Emerald Ash Borer affected wood waste onsite.
MN State Guidelines for Transporting Emerald Ash Borer Affected Tree Waste EAB Active Period - May 1 through September 30
- Avoid removal of ash branches, trees, stumps
- If removal is necessary due to a hazardous condition then,
- Chip at least outer 1” of bark/wood on-site and transport to the nearest facility that can quickly process the material Or...
- Transport at least outer 1” of bark/wood in a vehicle where it is 100% enclosed to the nearest facility that can quickly process the material. Material should remain enclosed until it can be at a minimum chipped.
Material moved during the EAB Active Period may release adults at any time during transportation into a previously un-infested area. By postponing pruning until the fall, you can help reduce the risk of EAB spreading. If the tree is left intact during the EAB Active Period, it can provide habitat for EAB adults to lay eggs. But since the adults won’t emerge until the following year, if this tree or branch is cut and properly disposed of during the EAB Dormant Period, any EAB that may exist in the ash material will be destroyed when the wood is destroyed,
EAB Dormant Period - October 1 through April 30
- Conduct pruning, removal of ash as desired.
- Transport at least outer 1” of bark/wood to a facility where it will be processed prior to May 1.