Emerald ash borer is known to use our highways as a means to traverse and infest new areas. The pest likes to hitch-hike on vehicles and in transported firewood. Denver Forestry staff sent to assist Boulder in the EAB survey found a third infestation, where it appears the pest followed Foothills Parkway to enter the vicinity. Plant Pathologist Steve Geist, believes emerald ash borer detections will follow highway arterials as the infestation continues to spread in northeast Colorado.
Forestry staff have completed 80% of the survey and are working to process the samples in an effort to determine the severity of the infestation in the Denver Metro Area. There are rumors of other detections, but at this time they are unsubstantiated.
As seen on the map provided by Denver Forestry, the red arrow is the first detection, the blue is the second (on the CU campus), and the yellow is the most recent.
Swingle continues to recommend an aggressive proactive approach to protecting our trees from the most destructive North American urban forest pest.
Image courtesy of Denver Forestry
