Ornamental trees such as the ash tree are great to have on your property. These trees provide shade, act as wind breakers and improve the curb appeal of your property. It takes several years to grow a tree to maturity. Unfortunately, all that patience and effort can go down the drain in the blink of an eye. This is when your trees are infested by pests, especially the infamous Emerald Ash Borer.
What is the Emerald Ash Borer?
The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a highly destructive invasive insect species that poses a significant threat to ash trees (Fraxinus species). It is native to parts of Asia and was accidentally introduced to North America in the early 2000s through the transportation of infested wooden packaging materials.
The small, metallic-green beetle measures about 8.5-14 millimeters in length and has distinctive emerald-colored winds, which give it its common name. The adult beetles are not harmful to the trees themselves; instead, it is their larvae that cause the damage.
The female Emerald Ash Borer lays eggs on the bark of ash trees. After hatching, the larvae burrow into the tree and feed on the inner bark and the phloem of the tree. This disrupts the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water. The infestation weakens the tree and eventually leads to its decline and death if left untreated.
Is Your Tree Infested?
The symptoms of an EAB infestation can vary depending on the stage of the infestation as well as the health of the ash tree at the time of the infestation. Some of the most common symptoms include:
This is one of the earliest signs of an infestation and often goes unnoticed. It occurs as the larvae feed on the inner bark and begin to disrupt the tree’s nutrient transport system. This leads to reduction of foliage and the thinning of the tree’s crown.
Having your trees inspected by an arborist will reveal even more signs of the infestation. This includes the holes thought which the larvae emerge after development. These distinctive D-shaped holes in the bark are approximately 1/8 inch in diameter. They are a key indicator of an EAB infestation.
Another sign that your tree is infested by EAB larvae is the serpentine galleries created by the larvae as they feed on the inner bark of the tree. These galleries wind back and forth under the bark and are packed with a mix of sawdust and excrement (frass). These galleries can be observed by peeling off the bark in affected areas. Ash trees can suffer from other issues and exhibit similar symptoms. It is therefore best to consult with a certified arborist and tree removal contractor to confirm the presence of an infestation more accurately.
Why is Tree Removal Necessary with Emerald Ash Borer
Tree removal is often necessary when trees are infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestations for several reasons:
Infested ash trees become weak and brittle as the EAB larvae feed on the inner bark and disrupt the tree’s nutrient transport system. This makes the tree more prone to drying out and its branches weakening and breaking. There is also the potential of the entire tree falling. This poses a significant safety risk to people, structures and property around the tree.
Removing infested trees is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of EAB to other nearby ash trees. Adult EAB beetles can fly short distances and may infest other ash trees in the area. Wood debris can potentially carry larvae and spread the infestation. Therefore cutting infested branches won’t deal with the problem. Removing infested trees is the best way to reduce EAB populations and the risk of infesting healthy ask trees nearby.
Ash trees are admittedly valuable components of the ecosystem. However, it is often more practical to remove and destroy infested trees than to risk the complete decimation of ash populations in a given area. By managing the infestation and selectively removing trees, there may be a chance to preserve some healthy ash trees and maintain a balanced ecosystem.
By removing infested trees, our arborists and tree care professionals can focus their efforts on preventive measures and treatment for healthy ash trees in the vicinity. Insecticide treatments can be applied to protect valuable unaffected ash trees from infestation, potentially extending their lifespan.
When an EAB infestation has reached an advanced stage and caused severe damage to a tree, it is almost always more cost effective and efficient to remove the tree rather than attempt to save it through treatments that may not be successful.
In an area where EAB infestations are a major problem, the best solution is tree removal. Contact us to learn about how we can help.