Updated October 2, 2018

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture reports that three Tennessee counties have been quarantined for Emerald Ash Borer after detection of the forest-devastating insect, bringing the total number of Tennessee counties under a state and federal EAB quarantine to 62. Cheatham, Giles, and Maury counties have been added to the list of areas restricted for the movement of firewood, ash nursery stock, ash timber, and other material that can spread EAB.

The tree-killing beetle was recently found in these three counties through the United States Department of Agriculture’s EAB detection program.

“Emerald Ash Borer is a very serious invasive insect that has the potential to severely impact the health and lifespan of all ash trees in Tennessee,” State Forester David Arnold said. “Slowing the spread is our best line of defense, so we ask those in quarantined counties to be cautious with moving firewood, ash logs, and other ash material.”

Since being introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s, the destructive insect has killed millions of ash trees and spread to 35 states.