West Fargo Develops Plans To Take On Emerald Ash Borer

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — West Fargo is squaring up for a battle with a devastating tree killer.

Emerald ash borer is a tree pest in the form of a jewel beetle.

It’s a highly damaging invasive species that can wipe out an entire ash population within 12 years if left untreated.

It arrived in Moorhead earlier and now West Fargo is showing signs of infestation.

They plan to treat some infected trees while removing others that are more damaged and focus on planting a diverse array of replacement trees.

“They include things like dutch elm disease resistant elms, honey locusts, hackberry, crabapple – it’s a pretty good range of trees that do well here now thanks to a lot of NDSU introductions and trees they’ve developed over the few years that do well in northern climates,” said Chad Zander, West Fargo City Forester.

Minnesota officials believe people unknowingly brought infected firewood from other counties into Clay County.

People are urged to not transport firewood across county lines.