![\"Tennessee](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Tennessee-Department-of-Agriculture.jpg\" "\\"Tennessee")
Nashville, TN <\/strong>– The Tennessee Department of Agriculture reports that three Tennessee counties have been quarantined for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) after detection of the forest-devastating insect, bringing the total number of Tennessee counties under a state and federal EAB quarantine to 62.<\/p>\n![\"Cheatham](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Emerald-Ash-Borer-EAB.jpg\" "\\"Cheatham")
<\/a>Cheatham County, Giles County, and Maury County now added to Tennessee and Federal Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Cheatham, Giles, and Maury counties have been added to the list of areas restricted for the movement of firewood, ash nursery stock, ash timber, and other material that can spread EAB.<\/p>\n
The tree-killing beetle was recently found in these three counties through the United States Department of Agriculture\u2019s EAB detection program.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmerald Ash Borer is a very serious invasive insect that has the potential to severely impact the health and lifespan of all ash trees in Tennessee,\u201d State Forester David Arnold said. \u201cSlowing the spread is our best line of defense, so we ask those in quarantined counties to be cautious with moving firewood, ash logs, and other ash material.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since being introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s, the destructive insect has killed millions of ash trees and spread to 35 states.<\/p>\n
Citizens are encouraged to report any symptomatic ash trees to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and follow these recommendations:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Don\u2019t transport firewood, even within the state.<\/li>\n
- Use firewood from local sources near where you\u2019re going to burn it or purchase certified heat-treated firewood.<\/li>\n
- If you have moved firewood, burn all of it before leaving your campsite.<\/li>\n
- Watch for signs of infestation in your ash trees. If you suspect your ash tree could be infested with EAB, click here<\/a> or call TDA\u2019s Consumer and Industry Services Division at 1-800-628-2631.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
TDA\u2019s Division of Forestry estimates that five million urban ash trees in Tennessee are potentially at risk from EAB. The risk represents an estimated value loss of $2 billion. There are an estimated 261 million ash trees on Tennessee timberland, which are potentially valued as high as $9 billion.<\/p>\n