Sauer reports the biggest concern for the chapter is the emerald ash borer (EAB), that exotic beetle (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002, then found in Ohio in 2003. According to emeraldasborer.info, EAB has killed more than 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The chapter is working with local arborist, Ohio State Extension and the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture (ODA).

?EUR??,,????'??We are taking an aggressive approach to see how we can eradicate the problem, short of cutting down all the ash trees in the state,?EUR??,,????'?? Sauer says. He estimates that as many as 20 percent of the state?EUR??,,????'???s native shade trees are ash trees.

ODA?EUR??,,????'???s fact sheet shows 25 counties in the state under quarantine, meaning it is illegal to move ash trees or logs (branches, chips, bark, etc.) out of those areas. Sauer said another three counties were just added to the list.

Judging by the infected counties, Sauer believes ash firewood is being transported along the I 75 corridor and spreading the beetle. However, he says, the state has not clamped down or rigorously enforced such illegal hauling.

This is a big economic issue for the state and Sauer believes the state legislature and those in Washington, D.C. don?EUR??,,????'???t realize the full impact of the problem. In just one township, Sauer notes, it is estimated it would cost $1.5 million to cut down infected ashes in the right-a-ways. With about 1,300 townships in the state, you begin to see there is a potential cost of over a billion dollars just to cut down infected trees.