Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that destroys ash trees, has recently been found in Smith and Jefferson counties. Smith is the first county in Middle Tennessee where EAB has been found. Both cases have been confirmed by the USDA.
While Jefferson County is adjacent to previously quarantined areas where EAB has been confirmed, the find in Smith County was of particular concern because of the distance the insect was found from the already quarantined areas in East Tennessee. The location in Smith County where four EAB were caught is at Cordell Hull Lake in the Elmwood/Granville area.
“It is unfortunate, yet typical, to have found this destructive pest at a campground well outside the known area of infestation,” said Tim Phelps, Public Outreach Specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry. “Tree-killing insects, such as EAB, and diseases can lurk in firewood. These insects and diseases can’t move far on their own, but when people move firewood they can jump hundreds of miles. New infestations destroy forests, property values, and cost huge sums of money to control.”
Jefferson and Smith counties will now be added to the Emerald Ash Borer quarantine. A total of 12 counties have been added to the list this spring and summer including Greene, Campbell, Cocke, Union, Monroe, Anderson, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins and Roane. Blount, Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, Loudon and Sevier counties were placed under quarantine last year. The quarantine prohibits the movement of firewood, ash nursery stock, ash timber and other material that can spread EAB. With the new discovery, citizens can expect expanded surveys and should report any symptomatic ash trees to TDA.
From TN.gov: https://news.tn.gov/node/9615