State efforts to keep the tree eating Emerald Ash Borer out of Wisconsin are coming into question.
So far so good. According to Mick Skwaroq, a plant disease specialist with the State Department of Agriculture. So far, no Emerald Ash Borers have been found in Wisconsin. But that's why they're cutting hundreds of ash trees around the state. He says they're actively looking for larvae not just thinning out the number of trees that could be infested.
Skwaroq says the department constantly reviews that approach and will change it if the situation dictates. He says it has nothing to do with federal money allocated to the project. The money does not dictate the management approach to handling the Emerald Ash Borer.
Skwaroq says federal money is used in the tree cutting program but the money is also used for other things like outreach programs and informing the public about the ash borer.
Skwaroq says the public can help by knowing what to look for and by not moving firewood around. You can get that information by going to www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov.
The department will wrap up it's tree cutting and girdling project in May and then watch and wait to see if the Emerald Ash Borer has been held at the state line.
AUDIO: Jim Dick reports ( 1:16 MP3 )
