The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has expanded the emerald ash borer quarantine to include the entire state.
That means ash trees, untreated ash lumber and wood products and firewood can be transported across the state.
As adults, the insects lay eggs on the bark of ash trees, which they feed from. When the eggs hatch, larvae burrow into the layer of the tree that brings water and nutrients from the roots and eat living tissue, eventually cutting off all nutrients.
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Press Release
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has expanded the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Quarantine to include all counties and independent cities of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This action became necessary after the recent detection of EAB in the counties of Buchanan, Caroline, Giles, Hanover, Lee, Prince Edward, Stafford and Warren. The quarantine previously included Arlington, Charlotte, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Halifax, Loudoun, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Danville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester but now includes these as well as every other locality.
Under this statewide quarantine, the regulated articles, which include ash trees, green (non-heat treated) ash lumber and ash wood products, as well as hardwood firewood, are no longer subject to localized movement restrictions and may now move freely within the state.
For additional information about the Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine call the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 804.786.3515.
