July 12, 2012
State forestry officials say an invasive wood-boring beetle has spread to more than a dozen counties in Virginia, threatening millions of ash trees.
VDOF Forest Health Specialist Dr. Chris Asaro said, “EAB is capable of killing all 187 million native ash trees in Virginia, regardless of their initial health and condition. In addition to the ecological problems this will cause, it will have a significant economic impact on the Commonwealth.”
The emerald ash borer is a native of Asia first detected in the U.S. 10 years ago. It has now spread to the following counties: Pittsylvania, Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Lee, Buchanan, Hanover, Warren, Caroline, Prince Edward, Giles, Loudoun and Stafford.
The pest had previously been confirmed in three northern Virginia counties: Arlington, Prince William and Frederick.
Chris Asaro is a forest health specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry. He says the beetle is capable of killing all 187 million native ash trees in Virginia.
Ash is valued statewide at $170 million.
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