DURHAM -- The state's agriculture commissioner is warning that the state's ash trees might be in danger. Steve Troxler told SFNTODAY.com that now 12 counties in the state are under quarantine for emerald ash borer, with the most recent being Durham, Graham, Johnston, Orange and Wilson.

He says the trees cannot leave these infested counties.

"What it does is restrict the movement of hardwood, firewood, ash, nursery stock, and other ash materials within these areas that are quarantine."

Troxler says they are watching for these insects in other counties through trapping and visual assessments of the trees. He says the symptoms of emerald ash borer in trees includes a decline in appearance of the tree, clumps of shoots emerging from the trunk of the tree and increased woodpecker activity. If homeowners identify these symptoms they can call the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division at 1-800-206-9333.