Since its arrival in 2009, the Emerald Ash Borer has quickly
spread to almost two dozen counties throughout Kentucky.
Officials began trapping efforts for Emerald Ash Borer in 2008
and had their first confirmation in the state northwest of
Lexington in 2009. In the intervening three years the beetle has
spread to Anderson, Boone, Boyd, Boyle, Bracken, Campbell,
Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Greenup, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson,
Jessamine, Kenton, Oldham, Owen, Scott, Shelby, and Woodford
counties. The Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Michigan
in 2002 and is believed to have been brought into the United
States in wooden packing material from Asia. The invasive borer
attacks all species of native Ash trees. The adult Emerald Ash
Borer feeds on Ash tree leaves, which cause minor damage to the
tree. The larvae, however, disrupts the movement of water and
nutrients in the trunk of the Ash tree by feeding on the
cambium. Ash trees can be killed within 2 to 4 years after the
initial infestation.