By Kalvin D. Perron
Staff Reporter
BRIMLEY - "There are no confirmed findings of Emerald Ash Borer here," said Brimley State Park Director Burr Mitchell, responding to a rumor circulating throughout the community that there had been a confirmed EAB infestation at the park. "It's only a rumor."
Mitchell said the rumor was probably started as a result of representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture recently removing and inspecting a black ash tree. After inspecting the tree, the USDA crew cut it up and burned it as an extra precaution. With many people witnessing removal of the ash tree, Mitchell said he is not entirely surprised that some people would think they had found EAB at the park.
"I can understand how this rumor got going," he said. "A lot of people saw us take down that tree. Fortunately, we did not confirm the existence of EAB here."
According to Mitchell, the park had nine trap trees, seven currently, that have been monitored by Michigan Technological University students for the past year. The trap trees were artificially wounded, or girdled, to attract any EAB in the area. Since the monitoring of the trap trees began, two were removed for inspection. Mitchell said the existence of the pest on a tree could be confirmed by identifying their signature d-shaped exit holes, or by locating gatherings of larvae underneath its bark.
In addition to the monitoring of living ash trees, Mitchell said that all firewood is checked when brought into the park, as well. Since the Upper Peninsula is not part of the 13 county quarantine zone that prohibits the transporting of firewood, Mitchell said people are still allowed to bring ash into the park. However, any ash brought in is stripped of its bark and checked thoroughly by state park officials.
Mitchell said that USDA officials would be back soon to monitor the park's ash population and to look for EAB-related deterioration. Any suspicious trees will be removed and inspected. If an infestation of the pest is ever confirmed, Mitchell said the public would be notified.
"We will continue looking for EAB here at the park," he said. "Personally, I really don't think we have it here. If we ever confirm that we have it, I can assure you that we will get the word out."
