Oregon Department of Forestry warns emerald ash borer is near Oregon City; residents urged not to move firewood

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) told the Oregon City Commission that emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive wood‑boring beetle that has killed millions of ash trees in North America and was first found in Oregon in 2022. Kat Buffay, an ODF emerald ash borer support specialist, presented spread maps, described the typical infestation curve (initial low visibility for 3–5 years followed by rapid mortality), and warned that native Oregon ash in riparian areas faces near‑total mortality once infested.

Buffay said one female beetle can lay up to about 80 eggs and that the beetle’s larval stage causes the fatal tree damage. She explained management options: quarantines for infested counties (enforced via Oregon Administrative Rules and managed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture), targeted insecticide trunk injections administered by licensed applicators (which are effective but require repeat treatments every 2–3 years), selective removals under a SLAM (slow ash mortality) strategy and release of approved biological control agents in limited circumstances.

ODF noted a positive trap less than three miles from the Oregon City urban growth boundary this past summer and explained that quarantines restrict moving ash material out of affected areas unless properly treated, chipped or incinerated. The agency urged residents not to move firewood, to learn signs and symptoms via oregoneab.com, and to report suspected finds to the Oregon Invasive Species hotline.

What's next: City staff said they will continue ash‑population surveys and develop a mitigation plan with ODF assistance; staff also flagged potential code amendments to remove ash from approved street‑tree planting lists. Residents with concerns were directed to ODF materials and contact details provided during the presentation.