Want to protect trees from the emerald ash borer? Start by understanding the threat. Since its discovery in Michigan in 2002, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), or EAB, has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across the Midwest and East Coast. Experts now call EAB the most destructive tree pest ever introduced to North America. It most likely arrived in ash wood pallets or packing material.
How the Emerald Ash Borer Damages Trees
This pest threatens every North American ash species, plus the non-native ash trees often planted along streets and in landscapes. The emerald ash borer gets its name from the vivid metallic green the adults of this bug display. The beetles damage the tissues that carry water and nutrients, which causes dieback and a thinning canopy. When adults emerge in late May or early June, they leave distinctive 1/8-inch “D”-shaped exit holes in the bark. Heavy infestations can kill trees within a couple of years.
Meanwhile, EAB larvae eat through the bark and leave noticeable tracks. This feeding blocks the tree’s ability to move nutrients and water. Large infested trees may die in three to four years, while smaller trees can die in just one to two.
Signs of an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
Watch for these signs of EAB:
• D-shaped exit holes
• Splitting bark
• Tunneling under the bark
• Thinning or dead tree crowns
When to Remove an Infested Ash Tree
Once a tree loses 30% or more of its canopy to EAB, treatment rarely works, so removal becomes the best option. To remove a sick ash tree safely, work with a professional, insured tree service like Nashville Tree Service (NTS). Our crew removes infested ash trees safely and disposes of the wood properly.
If you believe you have a tree infested with an emerald ash bore or would like to protect your ash trees from this pest, reach out to us today. Your trees will thank you.
