It’s Confirmed – Emerald Ash Borer is in Hartford
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly invasive beetle that was confirmed in South Dakota in 2018. The beetle larvae feed on Ash tree tissue disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually leading to the death of the tree. There are treatment options for healthy trees that are not infected but once infected with the larvae, the tree will eventually die. The Emeral Ash Borer only affects Ash trees. Back in 2018, the city did adopt a management policy for EAB to manage Ash trees within the city’s property (park system and boulevard trees). If a boulevard tree becomes infected and dies, the city will remove that tree at no cost to the adjoining property owner. Property owners are still responsible for trees within their property. For more information on Emerald Ash Borer, you can go to the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources link below: