The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is testing trees for an unwanted beetle, creating fears among woodlot owners that a quarantine zone will be expanded.

The agency contacted woodlot owners last week to notify them of a testing program outside the zone.

Forestry specialist Greg Cunningham said brown spruce longhorn beetles have been found in new areas on the Eastern Shore, including Dutch Settlement, Mineville and Sheet Harbour.

"We've removed infested trees; we have had movement control in place," said Cunningham. "We do have spread now, but I wouldn't say our efforts have been in vain."

But there were 18 additional new finds outside the quarantine area this year, up from seven in 2005, he said.

Cunningham said the beetles may have spread through flying, or travelling from tree to tree or log to log.

Part of the new strategy may include expanding the quarantine, he said.

If that happens, more woodlot owners and lumber operators will find themselves with fewer trees to sell.

The quarantine line runs through Bob Eisener's property, which means about 80 hectares of trees are already off limits.

"We're hit with the quarantine," said the retiree, who planned to make money from his woodlot in Mineville. "I can't sell any lumber, I can't give you a stick of wood."

Cunningham said the food inspection agency is meeting with woodlot owners and scientists to discuss what to do next on the Eastern Shore.