NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture says a walnut tree killing disease has been found in Morgan and Rhea counties.
The counties are now under quarantine due to Thousand Cankers Disease, which is transmitted by walnut twig beetles. Residents are not allowed to move walnut tree products and hardwood firewood outside the quarantined counties.
Thousand Cankers Disease can kill a tree within two to three years after initial symptoms are detected.
The Division of Forestry estimates 1.38 million black walnut trees in Tennessee's urban areas are potentially at risk from the disease. The risk represents an estimated value loss of $1.37 billion.
Bledsoe, Cumberland, Fentress, Hamilton and Meigs counties are now considered buffer regulated counties. Products from buffer counties can be moved into a quarantine county but not taken back out.