DNR: More emerald ash borer sites found in Oconto, Marinette counties

Green Bay Press-Gazette

Once infested with the pictured emerald ash borer, trees die within four to six years.

PESHTIGO – The presence of the emerald ash borer has become more widespread in Oconto and Marinette counties, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The beetle has been found in the town of Peshtigo in Marinette County as well as the town of Abrams and city of Oconto Falls in Oconto County.

DNR forest health specialists estimated the emerald ash borer has been present at the new locations for at least three to four years.

Previously, it had been found in the towns of Little Suamico and Morgan in Oconto County and the towns of Goodman, Niagara and Wagner in Marinette County.

The emerald ash borer kills all varieties of ash trees — white ash, green ash and black ash — but is not known to affect any other Wisconsin tree species.

Woodpecker damage, thinning of the tree crown from the top, one-eighth inch D-shaped exit holes and branches sprouting low on the trunk could be signs of emerald ash borer infestation.

It was first identified in the state in 2008 in Milwaukee, in the city of Green Bay in 2009 and in several locations in Marinette County in 2017.

More than 99% of Wisconsin’s ash trees are expected to die because of it.

Once infested, ash trees generally die in four to six years years.

Many ash trees in swamps have already been stressed or killed, thanks to a high local high water table, sustained flooding and record rainfall in 2019.

For questions about residential trees, landowners are encouraged to check out the University of Wisconsin emerald ash borer page for information and management suggestions.

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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 431-8226 or ktempus@gannett.com.