Ash borer concerns heightened in northern Minnesota

International Falls, Minn. (AP)

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Emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer is responsible for millions of dollars of damage to ash trees in Michigan, and it's spread to Minnesota. The adult borer is a metallic, coppery-green color and one-third to one-half inch long.
Photo by David Cappaert of Michigan State University, courtesy of www.forestryimages.org

A biologist for Voyageurs National Park says the discovery of the emerald ash borer in St. Paul is a cause for concern in northern Minnesota.

Biologist John Snyder is urging the public to take greater precautions to avoid inadvertantly bringing the ash borer up north. Snyder says travelers should use the Department of Natural Resources' approved list of local firewood vendors, to avoid contaminating the forest.

The DNR says Koochiching County has 124 million ash trees in forest land. There are some 934 million ash trees in forests statewide.

Snyder says that because so few tree species can thrive in a black ash swamp, the area may have trouble recuperating from a decline in ash. Losing the ash trees could affect other plant and animal species as well.

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Information from: The Daily Journal, http://www.ifallsdailyjournal.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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