The emerald ash borer has finally caught up with Todd County, and the response was swift. On April 28, 2026, state officials confirmed the invasive beetle in ash trees along State Highway 28 near the small town of Burtrum and quickly slapped an emergency countywide quarantine on the area. With roadside, park, and yard ash now at immediate risk, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has set a virtual informational meeting for residents and tree-care professionals on Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Statewide spread and quarantine rules
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' 2025 Forest Health Annual Report says surveys identified emerald ash borer in six additional counties, pushing the number of Minnesota counties with known infestations to 59 as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to the Minnesota DNR. To slow that advance, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has issued an emergency quarantine that restricts the movement of regulated materials such as ash logs, ash tree waste, ash chips, and mulch, and all non-coniferous firewood, per the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Where it was found and local response
Local reporting from WJON says the state confirmed emerald ash borer in trees along State Highway 28 near Burtrum and responded by putting Todd County under an emergency quarantine. According to WJON, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will hold a virtual information session for residents and tree-care professionals on Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to noon to explain the quarantine rules and how to report suspect trees.
How EAB damages ash and treatment options
Emerald ash borer larvae tunnel under the bark and carve S-shaped galleries that cut off a tree’s nutrient and water flow, eventually girdling and killing it. The University of Minnesota Extension reports that heavily infested trees can die in as little as two to four years. Extension guidance stresses that timing is critical: insecticide injections can protect high-value ash if used before the canopy declines too far, while large or badly infested trees are often best removed and processed locally.
What the quarantine means for residents
Under the emergency quarantine, regulated ash materials generally cannot leave Todd County unless they are covered by a certificate or compliance agreement from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Many disposal sites will only accept ash material for processing within the county. Residents planning tree removals are urged to call disposal facilities first, keep firewood from traveling to other counties, and follow the agency’s best-management practices for handling ash.
Where to get help
If you think emerald ash borer has hit your trees, report it and use diagnostic resources before treating or removing anything. The University of Minnesota Extension provides identification guides, photos and treatment checklists to help you sort out your options. Local arborists, county forestry or soil-and-water offices, and conservation districts can help decide which trees to try to save, which to remove, and where to recycle ash wood locally.
The next few weeks are likely to be busy for Todd County landowners, roadside crews and park staff as they size up ash stands, schedule removals and weigh treatment costs. For the initial report and meeting details, see WJON, and check with County offices about disposal options and any local assistance programs.
