Monday, February 16, 2015

Emerald Ash Borer Identified & Confirmed in City of Milton

On Friday, February 13, 2015, the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was identified and confirmed in Veterans Park on West High Street in the City of Milton. Department of Public Works staff brought their findings to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) who confirmed the findings to be EAB.  The City of Milton now joins a growing list of Wisconsin communities where the insect has been detected.

Rock County, which includes the City of Milton, has been under an EAB quarantine since 2012 when the borer was found in the County.  Other area counties included in the quarantine are Walworth, Jefferson, Dane, and Green.   Residents should be aware that it is illegal to move firewood out of the EAB quarantined area, as it is the primary means for spreading the EAB.  It is best to keep firewood onsite.  Homeowners who would like more information on the EAB and the quarantine area, are interested in determining whether they have an ash tree on their property, or want information on how to protect your trees from EAB, should visit the City of Milton website at www.milton-wi.gov/EABInfo.

In preparation for the EAB, Milton has not planted ash trees for the past few years on City property.  The Milton Department of Public Works, Parks & Recreation Commission, and Common Council will work on a procedure for removal and replacement of Ash trees on City property.  Terrace trees adjacent to private property and/or on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.

For additional information contact Howard Robinson, Director of Public Works, or Donnie Zimmerman, Working Foreman, at (608) 868-6914 or by email at hrobinson@milton-wi.gov and dzimmerman@milton-wi.gov, respectively.