Burnett County is Officially Infested with Emerald Ash Borer

Burnett County now has an emerald ash borer infestation, meaning there are now no counties left in Wisconsin free from the invasive beetles.

According to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, officials responded to reports of a possible infestation in the town of Meenon on June 13. They found two trees on the property that showed typical signs of the invasive beetle infestation, including tree decline and visible damage to the outer bark caused by woodpeckers trying to get to the beetles and larvae. They have since confirmed that the trees were infected by the emerald ash borer after sample testing.

Now that Burnett County has had a confirmed infestation, all 72 counties in the state now have a confirmed presence of the species. Department of Natural Resources officials say they expect that the beetles will eventually kill over 99% of the white, black and green ash trees in the state.

The beetles have spread rapidly through the northwest region of the state. In early May, the Department of Natural Resources announced that emerald ash borer had been detected in Taylor and Washburn Counties, leaving Burnett County as the sole remaining county without an infestation.

The Eau Claire Forestry Department also announced their estimate that about 34% of the ash trees lining the streets in the city had been infected earlier this year. In the wake of that news, the City increased the number of trees it planned to remove from about 400 to about 2,000.

The troublesome bugs are estimated to kill 99% of the trees that they infest, creating costly problems for local municipalities trying to halt their spread. If residents see signs that a tree may be infected by the emerald ash borer, like the woodpecker damage or the beetles and larvae themselves, they should report it to the Department of Natural Resources.