Winona, MN (WXOW)-- The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle lethal to ash trees, and it's previously been found in La Crosse, Houston, Vernon, and Winona counties.
Dale Gilbertson has 80 acres of forest and about 10 percent of the trees on his property are Ash trees.
With the Emerald Ash Borer found in counties near his land he's concerned it may infect his trees.
"I wanted to see the Emerald Ash borer and the evidence on the trees. I've read so much about it, I understand it's coming. I just wanted to be able to identify it," Gilbertson said.
To prepare for the lethal beetle, Gilbertson attended an Ash Borer management class at the Great River Bluff State Park in Winona.
"It was really interesting to actually see the Emerald Borer," Gilbertson said. "I've seen so many pictures on paper about it, but I've never actually seen it in person. And to see the trees and to see the exit holes and we found a larva and to see where the wood peckers go after them, it's really kind of interesting."
The class also provided guidance on how to deal with the borer if you find it on your land.
"Bio-control is pest that preys on the Emerald Ash Borer," said Angela Gupta, who taught the class. "Bio-controls are maybe one of the only things that will prevent Emerald Ash Borer from spreading in our forested land."
And even Ash trees are only a small portion of his forest, Gilbertson says it'll be noticeable if he has to cut them down.
"It'll be like every other change you can't reverse," Gilbertson said. "So yeah, we'll miss it, but there's not much you can do about it."
