Starting today the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the University of Tennessee Extension are hosting a series of meetings to address the recent discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer in Smith County. Cannon County Extension Director Bruce Steeleman has reported that sightings of the Borer have been as close as in Dekalb County. Presentations delivered at the meeting will provide information about the danger this pest poses to forest and community tree health, as well as how to move ash products under the quarantine regulations. Local residents, forest industry, homeowners, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and others interested in learning more about this invasive non-native pests are welcome to attend. Three meetings in the Upper Cumberland Middle Tennessee area have been coordinated with the first meeting tonight at 6:30 at the Hyder Burks Agriculture Pavillion 2390 Gainesboro Grade in Cookeville TN. Other meetings will be scheduled Tuesday October 30th in Carthage and also Thursday November 1st in Lebanon. More information about this and other forest pets in Tennessee can be found at http://protecttnforests.org
