Preventing the Spread of Ash Borer to Brainerd

So far, there have been no reported cases of emerald ash borer in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Minnesota Department of Agriculture spokesman Michael Schommer says 67 infested trees have been found in a St. Paul neighborhood on the west side. They have been removed. He tells KLKS News property owners in northern Minnesota need to be watchful. He says the insects can jump from one part of the country to another in a load of firewood.

Schommer says the best way to avoid the spread of the disease is to burn wood from the local area. He says infested ash trees that are not protected with an insecticide almost always die. There are 900 million ash trees in Minnesota.