Ash borer quarantine expanded

7/7/2006

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio - Northeastern Franklin County's Blendon Township was put under quarantine yesterday after being identified as Ohio's latest point of emerald ash borer infestation.

The quarantine makes it illegal to move ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all hardwood firewood out of the township.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture said it will survey ash trees near Sunbury and Steltzer roads to determine the extent of infestation. Similar efforts are under way in Delaware County's Orange Township, where more infested ash trees have been found.

The Asian pest, one of North America's gravest forestry threats, starves ash trees to death over three to five years. It is believed to have been imported to North America via a Detroit-area shipment a few years ago. It is now in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario.