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Q: Why was a quarantine issued?
A: Ash trees are a valuable resource for the nursery,
landscaping, and timber industries in Maryland. The emerald ash borer, an
exotic invasive pest that is responsible for the death of more than 25 million
ash trees in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, threatens these resources. The
discovery of this federally-regulated pest in 2006 in an area where it was
believed to have been eradicated prompted the issuance of a quarantine over
all of Prince George’s County, according to federal protocols. The quarantine
was extended into Charles County when emerald ash borer was detected there in 2008.
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Q: What areas of Maryland are quarantined?
A: All of Prince George's and Charles Counties are under quarantine
and considered to be the Quarantine Area. Moving regulated articles out of these
counties is prohibited. Additionally, the area of Prince George’s county south of I-495
and Pennsylvania Avenue, and the area of Charles County north of MD Rte. 6 between
St. Mary's County and southbound Rte. 301, and north of MD Rt. 225 between
southbound MD Rt. 301 and MD Rt. 210, and north of MD Rt. 210 between MD Rt. 225 and
the US Navy Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, is considered to be the Infested Area.
Moving regulated articles into the rest of the Quarantine Area from the Infested Area
is prohibited.
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Q: What are considered to be "regulated articles"?
A: Regulated articles include:
- all life stages of the emerald ash borer
- firewood of all hardwood (non-coniferous) species
- nursery stock, green lumber, and other material living, dead, cut, or fallen,
including logs, stumps, roots, branches of ash, Fraxinus spp.
- uncomposted ash chips and uncomposted ash bark chips larger than 1 inch in
diameter in two dimensions.
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Q: What steps will be taken to solve the problem?
A: Removal and destruction of all ash trees in defined areas
is the only way to eradicate the emerald ash borer. In cooperation with the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources,
and countless other partners impacted by this event, we are conducting surveys
to determine the scope of the infestation and determine a course of action.
Maryland citizens in affected areas will be notified about survey and eradication
efforts through press releases, mailings, Maryland Cooperative Extension, and
public meetings.
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Q: Can I plant ash trees in my yard?
A: Moving and planting ash nursery stock within the
Infested Area (above) of Prince George's and Charles Counties is prohibited.
Ash may be planted in the rest of the Quarantine Area, although it is not recommended.
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Q: Can I transport regulated articles originating outside the regulated areas
through Prince George's County?
A: Regulated articles may be moved through the Quarantine Area
without stopping, except to refuel or for traffic conditions, if they are shipped in
an enclosed vehicle or are completely covered during the emerald ash borer flight season
(April 1 and August 31), and the point of origin is indicated on the bill of lading or
shipping documents.
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Q: What can I do to help?
A: Help spread the word. DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD OUT OF PRINCE
GEORGE'S OR CHARLES COUNTIES. In the Midwest, most new infestations have taken
place because people have unknowingly taken pest-infested firewood to other
locations. Prince George's and Charles County residents should consider
buying firewood locally to help vendors in the quarantined areas who can't
sell their product elsewhere in Maryland. If you have a vacation destination
out of the Quarantine Area, leave your firewood at home!
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Q: Where can I find out more?
A: The links on this page provide information regarding many
aspects of the emerald ash borer and the Maryland program. For more information
regarding the quarantine, and ongoing survey and eradication activities, or to
report suspect emerald ash borer damage, call the Maryland Department of Agriculture
at 410.841.5920. The Maryland Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center,
800.342.2507, www.hgic.umd.edu, is a good diagnostic resource for homeowners.
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