, flooring and baseball bats. Black ash is also important to Haudenosaunee traditional basket making.

Why firewood matters

Dig deeper:

The beetle does not naturally travel far on its own. Adult emerald ash borers typically fly less than a half-mile from the tree where they emerge.

But people can move the insect long distances by transporting infested firewood or nursery stock. New York restricts the movement of firewood from any tree species to within 50 miles of its source or origin.

The DEC's message is simple: Buy it where you burn it.

What to do if you find it

If you believe you found emerald ash borer in Essex, Hamilton or Lewis counties, take photos of the insect or damage and send the images and location information to the DEC.

An infested tree does not automatically need to be removed, according to the DEC. However, a dead or declining ash tree near a home, road or other structure can become a hazard. Property owners can contact a qualified arborist or tree service to assess their options.