Emerald Ash Borer Damage and Prevention

How to recognize and treat ash trees affected by this invasive pest

variety befall , specially in nature . The predictable eccentric of change , like the rhythmic cascades of the seasons or caterpillars reinvent themselves as butterflies , are reassuring , even inspiring . But ruinous changes , like trees felled in violent storms , are just the opposite .

A big change is coming to the Southeast , and for some of us , it ’s already well underway . I ’m talking about the arriver of the emerald ash borer ( EAB ) ( Agrilus planipennis ) and the death of ash trees ( Fraxinusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) that follow near behind . As of June 2019 , the comportment of this pest has been reported in all southern state except Mississippi and Florida . If you are a woodland - lover , this is knockout modification to suffer , knowing there is no stopping it , particularly as the hemlocks ( Tsugaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) of our southern Appalachians continue to die . But as a home gardener , I am not leave office ; alternatively , I have questions . So I reached out to Meg McConnell , Bartlett Tree Experts ’ nosology services manager , in Bartlett ’s enquiry laboratory in Charlotte , North Carolina , for some answers from an expert .

EAB has been on Meg ’s radar for quite some time , with the first report of the beetle render up in Charlotte in 2017 . She confirm the canonical fact and provide clear advice . This invasive insect from Asia first present up in Michigan in 2002 and has stay on its scatter both north and south with nothing to restrict it — except a lack of its nutrient reference , which is any metal money of ash tree . It can pass around by flee short distances or move long distances via human movement of infested firewood or timber . The small bright green beetles are seen only at times , but it ’s the larvae that aegir within the tree , detrimental tissue and break up water and nutrient movement , that chair to the death of the tree within three to five years . First sign of price are a yellowing of leafage in section of the canopy , then dieback of major branches . Later sign are D - anatomy trap in the trunk , increase pecker activeness ( due to their desire to eat larvae for luncheon ) , bark splitting , and trunk sprouts . If you ’ve traveled in the Midwest or Mid - Atlantic , the areas where EAB has been the longest , you may have noticed the death answer — skeletons of ash tree trees dotted throughout otherwise green roadsides and forests .

Meg say that if you have an ash Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on your property that you want to remain alive , treat it now . Do n’t wait for symptom to appear , and do n’t hold back for the first reports in your county if EAB has already been describe within twenty miles of you . commence by visit theEmerald Ash Borer Information Networkhome Thomas Nelson Page , which include a county - story map of first report . Your state timber service website likely contains up - to - particular date county information as well .

Treatments that will carry through your uninfected or very late infect tree utilise systemic insecticides apply either as a territory drench or tree injection . Depending on product and method , discussion is require every one to two years as long as the EAB is still active in your area . civilise yourselfif you plan to take on this yourself , or get through a local tree surgeon for professional treatment .

Change is happening . Check to see if EAB has been describe in your county . If it has not but you find evidence of it , pleasereport itto your local extension function or state department of agriculture . Homeowners and municipalities depend on up - to - date data to adjudicate when to handle their trees , and scientist gain selective information that adds to empathize the pestis . If you have ash tree , you may manage this change as long as you know it ’s coming .

Paula Gross is the former Assistant Director of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens .

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green ash tree dying due to an infestation of emerald ash borer

This green ash tree (Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Zones 3–9) is slowly dying due to an infestation of emerald ash borer. Photo: Steven Katovich of USDA Forest Service.

Emerald ash borer beetle