The emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle from Asia that was discovered in July 2002 feeding on ash trees in southeastern Michigan.

Larvae feed in the cambium between the bark and the wood, and eventually kill branches and entire trees.

Evidence suggests the ash borer had been established in Michigan for at least six years. Other established populations were detected in Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Ontario.

States like Ohio have been proactive in their efforts to stop the ash borer's spread. Ash trees in the infested areas have been cut, chipped and burned. Large infestation breaks, similar to those used in fighting forest fires, have been cut.

Once contained, the ash borer should extinguish itself by killing off the host trees and thus starving itself out of existence.

On June 21, 2007, the ash borer was detected for the first time in the state in Cranberry Township by two Department of Agriculture surveyors. They collected two adults using a sweep net while conducting visual surveys.

The state Department of Agriculture has imposed a quarantine in Butler, Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties. This is designed to slow the spread of the beetle.

Pennsylvania's quarantine restricts the movement of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps roots and branches and all wood chips.

Due to the difficulty in distinguishing species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood firewood — including ash, oak, maple and hickory — are considered quarantined.

How can you help? When camping, use only local firewood. Do not bring firewood from home. Do not bring firewood home with you. Burn all wood.

When landscaping, use only native plants from local nurseries.

To report a possible infestation, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 866-253-7189, or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Pest Management, at 717-948-3941.

Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.