Why the Cass County EAB discovery is so important

This October, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that emerald ash borer (EAB) had been confirmed in southeast Cass County, near Remer. This is an important announcement. Landowners need to be aware of the threat EAB poses not only on their land but to many thousands of acres of nearby forests. 

Although EAB is not new to Minnesota (Cass is the 45th Minnesota county with a known EAB infestation), this finding is significant. EAB is a non-native, highly destructive forest insect that causes virtually 100% mortality in our native ash trees. Black ash dominates thousands of acres of wet forest ecosystems across northern Minnesota. It is important to native wildlife, it plays a huge role in regulating soil moisture in wet forests, and it is a species of great cultural importance to Anishinaabe people across the region. 

Knowing that EAB is now established in the heart of northern Minnesota forests, woodland owners need to watch carefully for it and take action to slow the spread. What does that mean? If you have ash trees on your property:

• Familiarize yourself with the current status of EAB in Minnesota
• Inspect carefully for signs of EAB infestation every few months. These signs include flaking bark, loss of foliage from the top of the tree (crown dieback), and on close inspection, small D-shaped exit holes in the bark of ash trees. This diagnostic guide can help with EAB identification. 
• If you think you have EAB, report it immediately to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 
• Familiarize yourself with what you can do about EAB. Don’t wait! The sooner you catch a new infestation, the more manageable it will be. 

If you live or own land in or near Cass County and want to learn more about this discovery and what you can do, here are a few options:

• Register to attend a free Cass County public information meeting with MDA staff on November 9, 2023 at 10 a.m.
• Review information about EAB in Minnesota from MDA. They’ve got great info for homeowners and natural resource professionals. 

Finally, EAB is spread by people, often with no idea that they’re causing a problem. Help avoid new infestations of EAB, spongy moth, and other non-native species by avoiding moving firewood from infested areas, respecting quarantines, and informing yourself and your network about these issues.