Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Wilmette

Illinois Department Of Agriculture, Village Government,
Working To Implement Response Plan And Encourage Public Support

In July 2006, the Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed that multiple ash trees on public and private property in Wilmette were infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Click Here to view the IDOA announcement. The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die. While the beetle does not pose any direct risk to public health, it does threaten the tree population. Since EAB was first confirmed in the Midwest in the summer of 2002, more than 20 million ash trees have died.

As of April 25, 2007 the Village has removed 116 parkway ash trees confirmed by the IDOA as infested with EAB. The Village is only removing infested trees at this point. However, a plan has been established to remove all parkway ash trees over a five year period if the infestation persists and worsens. Staff members are working closely with state and federal officials to comply with all government protocol.

The entire Village falls within the State’s established Quarantine Zone which prohibits the movement of ash tree materials from the specified area. Currently the quarantine boundaries are Lake-Cook Road to the north, Milwaukee Avenue/Des Plaines River Rd. to the west, Touhy Avenue to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east.

It is the goal of the Village to provide all residents with the most current information on this pest. Therefore residents are encouraged to check the Village website for updated information during the spring, summer, and fall months. Anyone who suspects an ash tree has been infested is urged to first determine that the symptoms are specific to EAB. Though difficult to detect in newly infected trees, commons signs of infestation include the presence of metallic-green beetles about half the diameter of a penny on or around ash trees, thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped galleries, white colored larvae found beneath the bark, short vertical splits in the bark, thinning canopy and unusual shoots sprouting from the trunk.

If symptoms of EAB are apparent, residents should complete the submittal form to the left or, if necessary, contact the Wilmette Forestry Division at 847-853-7500.

 

 

 

 

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