State ag officials to discuss emerald ash borer in Rochester

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will meet with Rochester area residents Monday night to discuss the spread of emerald ash borer in Olmsted County. State officials have confirmed two emerald ash borer infestations in Olmsted County since August.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture entomologist Mark Abrahamson says the recent discoveries have been significant in size, which likely means there are other pockets of infested trees in the area.

"They've been there for a number of years, maybe four or five years," Abrahamson said. "And from what we've learned at other places that we've been working, that means there are other pockets of infested trees, certainly, in the area."

Olmsted County is one of five counties — Ramsey, Hennepin, Winona, Houston — that have been put under quarantine to limit the movement of ash trees, limbs and firewood out of the county.

"It is going to spread over time, there's no question about it," Abrahamson said. "And so, right from the start, we've understood that, and what we're trying to do is delay it as long as possible."

Minnesota is home to more than one billion ash trees, more than any other state in the country. Emerald ash borers have killed millions of trees in more than a dozen states.

If you go: Emerald Ash Borer informational meeting • 5 p.m., Monday (Nov. 17)
• Mayo Civic Center (Elliott Suite), Rochester
• More information