The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees in North America. The EAB is a small, green beetle that was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. It is believed to have arrived in the United States from Asia in shipping materials. The EAB kills ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the tree's cambium layer. The cambium layer is the layer of tissue that transports water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. When the EAB feeds on the cambium layer, it cuts off the tree's supply of water and nutrients, causing the tree to die.
The EAB is a very destructive insect. It can kill an ash tree in as little as two years. The EAB has been found in 35 states and the District of Columbia. It is considered to be a major threat to ash trees in North America, causing billions of dollars in damage.
If you have an ash tree on your property, it is important to be aware of the signs of EAB infestation. Here are some of the signs that your ash tree may have EAB:
D-shaped holes in the bark
Staining or oozing sap
Bark splitting or peeling
Ash tree leaves turning yellow, wilting, or falling off
New "sucker" growth off main branches and trunk
If your ash tree is even moderately infested with EAB, it will likely be necessary to remove the tree. Even if the tree seems to have a lot of new growth, it is dying a slow, choking death due to the destruction of the cambium layer.
Contact Timber Tree Service today and we will come assess your ash trees for any possible EAB infestations and recommend the proper course of action.
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