Emerald ash borer found in Shawnee Mission Park

The emerald ash borer, making its way across the metro area, has been found in trees at Shawnee Mission Park, according to Johnson County K-State Research and Extension.

Dennis Patton, horticulture agent with the extension service, discovered the S-shaped tunneling that damages trees while he was monitoring the spread of the borer in the county. He also discovered borer larvae.

Patton was working last week with the Johnson County parks district.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture confirmed the insects’ spread into Roeland Park and Shawnee in June after first being found in Johnson County last year.

It is clear the borers are spreading in Johnson County, Patton said in a statement. “We recommend ash tree owners that wish to save trees in excellent-to-good condition start treating their trees next spring,” he said.

The borer has killed millions of ash trees in its trek from the east. It was detected in Platte County in 2012 before moving into Wyandotte County and Jackson County, including Kansas City.

Patton will speak Sept. 15 about the spread of the borer and treatment options. The class at the Lenexa Community Center is free, but advance registration is required. To register online, go to https://econnect.lenexa.com/Start/Start.asp and click on “Register for Programs and Festivals.” The event is under “Adult Programs.”,Or you can call 913-477-7100 to register.

This story was originally published September 2, 2014 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Emerald ash borer found in Shawnee Mission Park."