Insect & Disease Conditions Update
Federal regulations on the emerald ash borer (EAB) impacting movement of regulated ash material have expired. An estimated 90 percent of Maine's ash trees remain outside of currently regulated areas in Maine, therefore the Maine Forest Service has taken steps to continue restrictions on movement of ash from infested areas.
With this order, restrictions on products containing ash, hardwood firewood and rooted ash trees remain functionally the same as prior to de-regulation by the federal government.
Around four percent of trees in Maine’s hardwood forests are ash. Ash is a valuable timber species, an important street tree and an important cultural resource for the Wabanaki. EAB threatens all species of ash trees (but not mountain-ash, Sorbus spp.) and will have significant ecological and economic impacts on the state. There are no practical means to control EAB in forested areas, though pesticide treatments can protect individual trees.
Regulated materials impacted by the new emergency order and Maine's existing quarantine rules include:
The emerald ash borer; firewood of all hardwood (non-coniferous) species; nursery stock, green lumber, and other material living, dead, cut, or fallen, including logs, stumps, roots, branches, and composted and uncomposted chips of the genus Fraxinus.
Proposed rules for amending the current Bureau of Agriculture rules are forthcoming. Stakeholders interested in receiving information about revised EAB rules, including public hearings, comment deadlines, and the outcome, are encouraged to use the DACF news service and sign up for EAB bulletins.
Within regulated areas of Maine, spread of EAB can be reduced through following Best Management Practices.
More information on EAB can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's EAB website.
Questions about the order can be directed to foresthealth@maine.gov, or (207) 287-2431.
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