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Fighting Emerald Ash Borer, D.C. Gets Added To Region's Firewood Quarantine

By: Diane Hodges // August 16, 2011
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An example of an adult emerald ash borer that's been placed on a penny to show size. The invasive insect from Asia has the potential to decimate huge populations of native trees.
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An example of an adult emerald ash borer that's been placed on a penny to show size. The invasive insect from Asia has the potential to decimate huge populations of native trees.

The District of Columbia has been added to the list of domestic areas that are under federal quarantine for the Emerald Ash Borer.

The emerald ash borer is a beetle that hitched a ride into the U.S. on products coming in from China and Eastern Asia.

Since it arrived in Michigan in the 1990's, it's been reponsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of U.S. ash trees. Authorities are now struggling to contain the pest, and say the main method of movement for the wood-boring bug is on firewood.

They've added the District, Baltimore City, and nine more counties to the quarantine areas. This quarantine restricts the interstate movement of wood and wood products, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, wood chips, and compost.

The insect has already spread to 17 states. Experts say the removal and replacement cost for trees in the affected communities will reach $10 billion.

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