Permanent Quarantine in Clackamas, Marion, Washington, and Yamhill Counties
Quarantine prohibits materials from all plant parts of ash (Fraxinus spp.), white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), and olive (Olea spp.) trees from movement outside Clackamas, Marion, Washington, and Yamhill Counties except for those nurseries which have entered into an EAB Compilance Agreement with the ODA Nursery & Christmas Tree Program. More details about this program are in a section below.
In response to the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB), the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has adopted an EAB permanent quarantine (control area) as per Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR 603-052-1075), limiting the movement of ash, white fringe, and olive tree materials from Clackamas, Marion, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. The purpose of the quarantine is to slow the spread of EAB by restricting the movement of host tree materials to unaffected locations in the state or out of the state. EAB is now considered the most destructive forest pest in North America, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees.
To learn more about the initial detection, Oregon's response plan, and links to may resources including identification tools, please visit the ODA's IPPM page located
here.
Current boundaries of the EAB Quarantine
As of August 2024, the entirety of Clackamas, Marion, Washington, and Yamhill Counties are quarantined areas. The ODA will expand quarantine boundaries when EAB is found in new counties. The purpose of the quarantine area is to encompass the known range of EAB within Oregon to slow the expansion of the infestation. Surveys were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to help identify their current range. A map of trees that have been surveyed and confirmed to have EAB can be found
here.
Moving plant material
within the quarantine boundaries
Movement of EAB hosts within the quarantine area is permitted. Ash, olive, and white fringe trees from the quarantine area can be sold, given away, or planted, as long as they remain within the quarantine boundaries.
Retail nurseries in the quarantine zone should:
- Train staff to identify signs of EAB presence and report any sightings to the ODA
- Inspect EAB host plants prior to moving them within the quarantine zone
- Inspect mother trees or other large host trees on the property
- Communicate clearly to the purchaser that host plants are required to remain within the quarantine boundaries
Selling plant material
outside of the quarantined area
Nurseries within the quarantine area that want to move EAB host plant material outside of the quarantine boundaries must be issued an EAB Compliance Agreement for Nursery Stock from the ODA's Nursery & Christmas Tree Program. The compliance agreement outlines conditions that must be met by the nursery to move and/or sell host nursery stock outside of the quarantined area.
EAB Compliance Agreement requirements
All quarantined host trees and plant parts must meet specific conditions that qualify them as low risk for harboring EAB adults or larvae. Plant material must meet one of the following requirements:
- They were produced in an ODA-approved screenhouse;
- They were properly treated with chemicals from the
EAB Pesticide List
- The tree trunks or other plant materials are less than ¾ of an inch (1.9 cm) in diameter at the thickest point, measured 4 inches above the soil line;
- The plants are tissue culture.
Please contact your ODA nursery inspector or Kara Mills (Kara.Mills@oda.oregon.gov, 503-983-6521) to request a copy of the compliance agreement. An ODA Nursery Inspector will arrange to visit your property to review the document with your nursery and determine if quarantined plant materials meet approved conditions. Once they confirm that your establishment meets the requirements, both parties will sign the compliance form, and you will be issued a “Certificate of Quarantine Compliance (CQC)" that must be included with all out-going shipments.
Steps to take if you suspect EAB is present on your property