Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
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A bug that specifically targets Ash trees and kills them.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The natural range of EAB is eastern Russia, northern China, Japan, and Korea. Since its discovery, EAB has been found from Canada to the Southeastern US. The adult beetles superficially feed on leaves, but the larvae (immature stage) feed underneath the bark in the vascular system of the tree. The damage caused by EAB larvae eventually cut off water and nutrient flow within the tree leading to dieback first, then death.
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When the insect finds its way into an Ash tree it can damage and kill the tree pretty quickly making it a hazard and often times making the tree more difficult and expensive to remove.
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The best thing to do is have an ISA Certified Arborist inspect your tree.
Bark cracks, or sunken areas on the trunk are symptomatic of EAB damage as well as “D” shaped exit holes created by the adults. Often the most noticeable sign is tip dieback and eventually large limb mortality, starting in the upper canopy.
Even in you do not see any current signs of EAB it is important to be proactive in having a treatment or removal plan for your Ash tree. An evaluation by a Certified Arborist can help you make that plan.
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Have the tree treated with a 1 or 2 year preventative treatment! Or if removal is a better option for your situation do it proactively before EAB has chance to make the tree more hazardous to remove.
Ash trees can be protected preventatively for 1-2 years depending on circumstances and application method. Protected trees will need to be treated on a reoccurring basis for some time until the presence of EAB is greatly reduced.
The small exit holes shown here are identifiable by the "D" shape the borer makes as it exits the bark.
Under the bark you can see the damage done by EAB. Since the cambium layer, just under the bark, is the part of the tree that is growing these “galleries” created by the bug will not allow the tree to grow above this area of damage. As the Emerald Ash Borer moves lower down the tree, at some point the damage is too extensive to save the tree.
