Does My Ash Tree Have Emerald Ash Borers?
What is an Emerald Ash Borer?
The emerald ash borer is a tiny but deadly beetle that has a metallic coating and is around 1/2 inch long. It feeds on ash tree species and is native to north east Asia. It has been said they were originally brought to America in packing materials from cargo ships and airplanes. The female ash borer will lay eggs in the crevices of ash trees, which then turn into larvae that will feed on the inner bark, preventing the tree from transporting essential nutrients. This results in extreme dieback, bark splitting and essentially overall decline of the tree.
So how much damage can an Emerald Ash Borer do?
To put it in perspective….
Since they have arrived in America, they have:
Costs nurseries, homeowners and forest product industries hundreds of millions of dollars.
Brought infestations to over 35 states
Caused and EAB quarantine, preventing firewood and other materials from being moved to prevent further spread
Been responsible for the death of hundreds of millions of ash trees to date
So keeping your ash trees healthy and away from these pests has never been more vital, as they will move from tree to tree, but generally stay within the ash species.
How do you know if you have an Emerald Ash Borer infestation?
The good news is that they can be identified much easier than some of the other common tree pests in the area. There are a large number of symptoms but the most common are:
Large D shaped exit holes in the bark from their emergence in spring
Woodpecker presence - they feed on EAB larvae
S shaped tunnels beneath the bark
These few symptoms alone will substantiate an EAB infestation and call for immediate treatment of the area. If you suspect you have Emerald Ash Borers, make sure you contact your local ISA Certified Arborist immediately, along with calling the USDA Emerald Ash Borer Hotline.
