Press Release  Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradicated in Holden

Holden — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that effective immediately, the Town of Holden will be the first community removed from Worcester County’s Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) quarantine zone. This follows years of efforts to control the harmful invasive species. ALB was previously eradicated from the City of Boston in 2014.  

“The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a highly destructive invasive species that threatens the health and future of our native trees in communities across Massachusetts,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Eradicating ALB in Holden is a major victory that was achieved through years of dedicated collaboration between DCR, MDAR, and USDA. This milestone not only projects local forests and neighborhoods but also marks a significant step toward eliminating ALB from Massachusetts.” 

“This is a huge accomplishment for the town of Holden. We will need people who live in and around ALB infestations in Massachusetts to continue to help look for and report the damage the beetle causes to trees,” said APHIS’ National Operations Manager for the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program Josie Ryan. “By looking at your trees and reporting any suspicious tree damage, you can help us find the beetle sooner and eliminate it quicker.”

The City of Worcester and surrounding areas in Holden, Boylston, Shrewsbury, and West Boylston were first put under ALB quarantine in 2008. Holden is the first community in this area to be removed from the quarantine zone, after surveys confirmed that ALB was not detected. DCR is continuing efforts to eradicate the ALB population in the remaining Worcester area communities within the quarantine zone. 

“MDAR congratulates the ALB Cooperative Eradication Program in this important step towards eliminating Asian Longhorned Beetle from the Commonwealth,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Given the threat that ALB poses to maple and other hardwood trees, it is critical that we protect the state’s natural resources, including the maple sugaring industry, from the impact that would be felt should this pest be allowed to spread.”

Originally discovered in the United States in 1996 in New York, the first infestation of ALB in Massachusetts was found in 2008 by a homeowner in Worcester. ALB is hazardous to many hardwood trees, particularly maples. Trees are unable to heal from the damage caused by ALB exposure and can become hazardous during extreme weather events due to their increased likelihood of falling or losing branches. To prevent further spread of the insect, quarantines were established to avoid transporting infested trees and branches from the area. Early detection of infestations and rapid treatment response are crucial to successful eradication of ALB. If left untreated, ALB has the potential to cause more damage than Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight and spongy moths combined, potentially destroying millions of acres of treasured hardwoods in backyards and forests.

Residents living in the 97.7 square mile regulated area of Worcester County are urged to undertake the following precautions to prevent further spread of ALB: 

• Check your trees for the beetle and the damage it causes and report any suspicions.
• Allow program officials access to inspect and remove any infested trees.
• Before hiring tree companies, confirm they have an ALB compliance agreement.
• Contact the ALB Eradication program or your local municipality to learn how to dispose of or move yard waste.
• Contact the program if you have any tree materials that might have ALB.
• Buy or gather firewood where you will burn it or use certified heat-treated firewood.

For more information about the beetle and program activities, please call the ALB toll-free hotline at 1-866-702-9938 or visit DCR's ALB webpage.   

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