Michigan
Emerald Ash Borer Response Project
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan State University
U.S. Department of Agriculture
2005 Emerald Ash Borer Detection Tree Program
Frequently Ask Questions
1) What is the Emerald Ash Borer?
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly aggressive, Asian insect discovered in southeast
Michigan in 2002. To date, it is responsible for the death and/or damage of approximately 15
million ash trees in the 20 quarantined counties and 19 outlying infestations. It threatens the
viability of 700 million ash trees in Michigan and about 8 billion across North America.
2) What is being done about EAB in Michigan?
An active, cooperative EAB response effort, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture
(MDA), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan State University
(MSU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is in place to detect and contain EAB in the
state.
Detecting and containing EAB is critical to the success of the federal, multi-state, multi-agency
response efforts in North America. Research has shown the use of detection trees to be a very
useful tool in the early detection of the pest, especially in areas of low beetle populations. Based
on the recommendations of the EAB National Science Advisory Panel, the EAB Response
Project first implemented this program in 2004.
3) What is a detection tree?
An EAB detection tree is an ash tree with a section of the bark removed, or “girdled,” from tree
trunk. Research has shown that the EAB adults are more attracted to a stressed tree. It has
proven to be a very useful tool in finding the early stages of an EAB infestation, which
helped locate previously undetected populations of the beetle during the 2004 EAB detection
tree program.
4) Where will the detection trees be located?
The EAB ash detection trees will be strategically trees located in every county at varying
densities – except in the 20 quar