Emerald ash borers found in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Emerald ash borers have been found in the city of Milwaukee for the first time, and officials warn that the invasive pest has the potential to kill off the city’s estimated 587,000 ash trees.

More than a dozen infested trees have been confirmed on the northwest side of Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports a specialist with the state agriculture department identified adult beetles Thursday after a city crew noticed several distressed trees.

Forestry services manager David Sivyer says the whole city is at risk. Ash make up about 17 percent of Milwaukee’s tree population.

The invasive pest is responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of ash trees in the eastern U.S. and Canada, and has been found in 11 Wisconsin counties since 2008.