According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in the state for the first time. The detection was made in Granville County with the collection of an adult beetle that was confirmed by taxonomists. Several other sites in Granville County also had trees with classic signs and symptoms of EAB, including D-shaped exit holes, meandering galleries, dieback and thinning crowns, epicormic sprouting, vertical bark splitting and increased woodpecker activity. Trees that displayed positive signs also were found in Person and Vance counties.
Because of the serious nature of this invasive pest, a quarantine has been implemented for Granville, Person and Vance counties. This quarantine restricts the movement of ash trees, ash logs, etc. from these counties to other areas of the state. It will also restrict the movement of hardwood firewood from these areas. These are the same as those imposed in other states where EAB has been found as this is a federally regulated pest.
Under natural conditions, EAB spreads about five miles per year. However, it has spread longer distances in short periods, hitchhiking on firewood, prompting a nationwide campaign to encourage people not to move firewood, or to buy firewood from local or certified sources. This has been found to be the most effective way to slow the spread of this pest.
For more information, see the EAB FAQ section from the N.C. Forest Service: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/forest_health/fh_eabfaq.htm