The invasive insect responsible for the death or decline of hundreds of millions of ash trees in 27 states is on the move in Georgia, and is now present in four more north Georgia counties, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
First found in Georgia in July 2013 in DeKalb and Fulton counties, Emerald Ash Borer can now be found in 23 counties. Trapping results for 2016 indicate that it is present in four additional counties: Bartow, Gilmer, Rabun and Union. With the addition to Gilmer, Rabun and Union, the insect has now been found in seven northeast Georgia counties. Last year, Barrow, Fannin, Habersham and White were added to the list.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Forestry Commission has been following federal guidelines and restricting the movement of ash materials out of the quarantine area since 2013.
Click here to read more about the insect, the impact it can have on trees and what is being done to combat it.
