Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle from Asia that feeds on ash tree foliage, usually in small, irregularly-shaped patches along the margins of leaves. Adult beetles are generally bright green and small enough to fit on a penny. EAB was discovered in July 2002 feeding on ash trees in southeastern Michigan and is now responsible for the destruction of millions of ash trees across 30 U.S. states, as well as in parts of Canada.
It is difficult to detect emerald ash borer in newly infested trees. When a tree has been infested for at least one year, the evidence starts to mount up. D-shaped exit holes left by emerging adults will be present on the branches and the trunk. Wavy trail lines in the cambium where bark has fallen away and dying branches in the upper and outer portions of the crown are also hallmarks of EAB hard at work.
Want to Know More?
Hungry Pests, a website maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is driven by the Leave Hungry Pests Behind initiative to raise public awareness about the threat of invasive pests. It provides an overview of the EAB, a handy quick facts section and resources for reporting the EAB in your state.
The Emerald Ash Borer Information Network is a collaborative effort of the USDA Forest Service and Michigan State University to provide comprehensive, accurate and timely information on the emerald ash borer, including how to move firewood, wood use options and options for when your ash trees have become infested.
Be A Smart Ash is a website with information about the EAB specific to the Denver, Colorado area. Don’t forget to check out their music video, “EAB (Get Ready)” to learn more about the EAB in an entertaining way!
There are a variety of treatment options for controlling the EAB, but unfortunately, none are a cure.
If you suspect you have trees affected by EAB, or any other pests, contact a professional arborist in your area to examine your trees and recommend potential treatment plans.
Image Credit:
Emerald ash borer: David Cappaert, Michigan State University
Catalogued on www.bugwood.org.
Thank you for the web resources on finding out more on the Emerald Ash Borer. This pesky little beetle has caused a lot of damage to a number of trees in our area –
http://www.treeservice ajax.com
I agree with Trevor. These little bugs are causing a lot of grief for my clients in my region. I very often get calls with frustrated home owners trying to fight the infestation. Thank you for the resources provided here.
James – http://www.landscapingservicesajax.com
In spots of NE Ohio we have been hard hit. I often wonder why some areas are harder hit than others. Perhaps the bugs see something I can’t. Thanks for the article and resource.
http://www.clevelandtreeserviceco.com/
Ash is an important broadleaf tree in the UK, the second most commonly planted genus, and makes up nearly 15% of all broad-leaved woodlands. Its wood is strong but flexible, with many uses including the manufacture of ladders, flooring, handles, sports goods and furniture. Although there is no evidence to date that EAB is present in the UK, the increase in global movement of imported wood, wood packaging and dunnage poses a risk of its accidental introduction.
We have had a real problem with these bugs here in northern WI. Thanks for the article and good luck to everyone dealing with them.
Another major pest for us here in the Dallas-Ft. Worht area has been woodboring beetles.
Ugh… for the last 2-3 years our neighborhood has been wondering how we can fend them off. I’ve seen them around my trees, but so far I’ve been lucky. A guy a few blocks away had his tree removed earlier this spring because woodboring beetles have effectively destroyed it. There were times they were all up the trunk of the tree, inside and out.
A tell-tale sign of woodboring beetles is small oval-shaped holes in the trunk of mostly older or unhealthy trees. If you see a crevice like this on one of your trees – GET IT CHECKED OUT, by a professional or something.
Folks should get smart to pests in their lawns and on trees.
https://blog.treefix.com/wood-boring-beetles-treefix
Here’s a more descriptive guide of Woodboring beetles, so you can know what you’re up against. Good luck out there!
City of Chicago discovered god sent cure back in 2008, which not only fully protects largest 250-350 old Green, Blue and White Ash. But also helps substantially lower local infestation populations of exponentially building borer numbers, allowing unprotected trees in same treatment zone neighborhoods to survive 3-4 more years longer. Avoid well intentioned Arborist who assume career knowing how to manage Elm against DED, instantly makes them EAB experts. They are ones proclaiming full dose treatments required for life of Ash tree, since is for Elm. When fact is after EAB arrived in my NE Illinois region around 2001, and officially discovered in 2006. As of 2017 any unprotected trees lucky to survive peak event have stopped declining from any new EAB damage since Ash proven to recover from low borer numbers each spring by producing all new growth ring over previous years borer galleries. And as of 2018 said trees already showing remarkable vigorous recovery. Proving Ash is the only urban tree species worth temporarily protecting, even replacing with new Ash tree better option than selecting lesser amateur urban species like Maple or Linden. Check out my historical EAB info blog at scottieashseed.wordpress.com Enjoy!