The Maine Forest Service announced on Tuesday that the invasive emerald ash borer beetle has been detected on Mount Desert Island.
Emerald ash borer larvae eat away the inner layer of bark of ash trees. That part of the tree carries water and nutrients up to the leaves, so when it’s damaged, the tree slowly dies.
An ash tree has only a 2 percent chance of surviving an emerald ash borer infestation if left untreated.
According to the Maine Forest Service, the area infested shows a thriving population of the beetles, and damage to ash trees is clearly visible from public roads.
The forestry department will expand the current ash borer quarantine area to include all towns on MDI. This means that certain ash products, such as logs and wood waste, are prohibited from leaving the island. It also means that healthy trees will be treated with insecticide to help prevent further spread.
Via of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
“Emerald ash borer is one of the most damaging forest pests we face,” state forester Patty Cormier said. “By working together—with awareness, early detection, and coordinated response—we can slow its spread and protect Maine’s forest resources.”
For more information on the emerald ash borer, quarantine zones around the state and methods to protect your property, visit the state’s dashboard.
