An invasive wood-boring beetle has spread to more than a dozen counties in Virginia, threatening millions of ash trees, state forestry officials said last week.
The emerald ash borer, a native of Asia first detected in the U.S. 10 years ago, has now spread to the following counties: Pittsylvania, Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Lee, Buchanan, Hanover, Warren, Caroline, Prince Edward, Giles, Loudoun and Stafford. The pest had previously been confirmed in three northern Virginia counties: Arlington, Prince William and Frederick.
The beetle “is capable of killing all 187 million native ash trees in Virginia, regardless of their initial health and condition,” said Chris Asaro, a forest health specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry. The spread of the beetle, he said, poses a significant economic threat to a tree that is valued statewide at $170 million.
State forester Carl Garrison said the hardwood is used in the manufacture of baseball bats but also is used for flooring, cabinets, tool handles and pallets.
From The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-forestry-officials-report-spread-of-invasive-voracious-ash-boring-beetle/2012/07/12/gJQAE4KSfW_story.html