If You See this Invasive Bug in Montana, Take Action

Move over, pine beetles.

Montanans are familiar with native pine beetles and the devastation they create in our mountain forests. During Montana's peak pine beetle infestation in 2009, the pesky bugs reportedly killed almost four million acres worth of trees in the Treasure State. Now, we have another bug encroaching on our borders, and this one could wreak havoc in Montana's urban areas.

Behold, the Emerald Ash Borer.

Don't let the shiny appearance of this little guy fool you. He's anything but pleasant. The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species from Asia and the Russian Far East. The USDA reports that the bug was first found in Michigan in 2002. It has been confirmed in 36 states across the US. So far, it has NOT been found in Montana. However, it's just a matter of time. The tree-killing insect is already in Colorado and South Dakota.

Montana's ash trees are at risk.

Ash trees are only native to Montana's northeastern corner. Still, the popular tree is found everywhere in most communities around the state, including what city officials call "public canopy." Places like city parks and boulevards in most Montana towns are filled with ash trees. In Billings (and most towns east of the Divide) ash trees account for around 40% of our public trees.

Montana cities are preparing for these ash tree killers.

Most of our bigger cities with large park departments are preparing for if/when the Emerald Ash Borer lands in Montana. The insect has few (or no) natural predators in Montana, and once a tree is infected, it almost always kills the tree. Park departments are concerned that mass die-offs will overwhelm resources needed to remove the dead or dying trees. Homeowners with ash trees should be concerned too.

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The City of Billings is hosting a two-part conference on April 2.

Held at the Northern Hotel, one part of the meeting is for tree care professionals. Arborists can register HERE. Following the day-long sessions, the general public is invited to attend a free discussion group from 6:30 - 7:30 pm on April 2nd at the South Ballroom of the Northern Hotel.

If you think you might have Emerald Ash Borers in your trees this summer, please contact your local Montana Extension Office to report your findings. You can also file an online report with the USDA HERE.