Checking Ohio’s Trees for Asian Longhorned Beetle is Essential: Checks Help Lift Firewood Restrictions at State Park Campground

ODA, USDA to host a press conference at East Fork State Park

 

 

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (July 29, 2021) – Checking state trees for the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is helping to lift quarantine restrictions of the campground area in East Fork State Park and is a necessary step in the overall ALB eradication process. The ALB quarantine could be lifted soon in the park’s campground and beyond, ending restrictions, such as moving firewood out of the campground. This milestone highlights the importance of checking trees and being on the lookout for the insect. Join the Ohio Department of Agriculture and USDA to highlight “Tree Check Month” and discuss how lifting the quarantine will affect campers and visitors to East Fork State Park.

ODA and USDA staff will be available to show where and how to check for signs of an ALB infestation in your trees. Video opportunities will be available as USDA Tree Climbers will show the inspection process in trees for signs of ALB along with ODA ground survey technicians.

WHAT:
Asian Longhorned Beetle Press Conference

WHEN:
Tuesday, August 3, 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:
East Fork State Park Campground
2837 Old State Route 32, Batavia, OH 45103
Please meet at the Loop C pavilion next to the Nature Center.

WHO:
Courtney Fulks, ODA ALB Program Agriculture Inspection Manager
Phil Baldauf, USDA ALB Eradication Program Director
ODA Ground Survey Technicians
USDA Tree Climbers

ALB was first discovered in Clermont County in June 2011. It is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees in Ohio, such as maple, elm, birch, willow, and Ohio’s official state tree, the buckeye. The beetle creates tunnels as it feeds then chews its way out as an adult in the warmer months, typically with emergence peaking in August. Infested trees do not recover, eventually die, and can become safety hazards since their weakened branches can drop and trees can fall over, especially during storms. Learn more about ALB here.

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