MUNISING -- Surveys are being conducted along the shores of Munising to detect the origin of a local emerald ash borer infestation.

The tiny pest is causing a big problem in the U.P.  Much of the local ash tree population is infected, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture is trying to get to the bottom of it.  To do so, they are examining the trees...a tedious task.

"Emerald ash borers are difficult to find just by looking at a tree," said MDA employee Bob Patterson, who surveys ash trees.  "We are out trying to locate ash trees of a certain size class, and what we're doing is when we find them, we will cut them down and peel the bark carefully to make sure that we can find some of the serpentine galleries for emerald ash borers."

Ash borers have proven to be a huge concern all over Michigan.  Since 2002, 35 million ash trees have been killed statewide.  With the help of purple "sticky traps," the MDA hopes to discover how badly they've infested Munising.

But why should we be so concerned about saving ash trees?  When they become infected, they become weak and can fall, posing a hazard to people or structures.  Also, the loss of black ash would take a major toll on the wood products industry, which uses the wood to manufacture tool handles and baseball bats.

"The survey will provide us vital information that we can provide to landowners and property managers to make decisions about what they can do with their ash trees as this emerald ash borer infestation continues to grow," said MDA regional manager John Hill.

Ash tree removal is an expensive proposition, so the MDA hopes the survey will keep it to a minimum.  To avoid removal, the MDA recommends that people chemically treat ash trees on their properties.  They plan to hold a public meeting in Munising sometime next week to further address how to manage the problem.