Should you be worried about Emerald Ash Borer?

Alex and I recently met with a customer that reached out to us for an estimate on tree removal and problems with her Azalea. While walking around her property, we pointed out a very large Ash tree that had a few dead limbs in the canopy and that wasn’t leafing out as fully as it should be at this point in the season.

We mentioned that the Ash should be treated for the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle, a pest that has caused tens of millions of Ash trees in the United States to die since 2002. Like many others that we have met, this customer had no idea they had an Ash tree and wasn’t previously aware of Emerald Ash Borer or that it will eventually kill all the Ash trees in our area if left untreated.

Although EAB has been in our area for over a decade, general awareness for the pest has remained surprisingly low. Unlike the Spotted Lantern Fly craze, the EAB eats away undetected inside of the tree. Without a visible bug to point to, EAB silently kill Ash and customers don’t often notice until it is too late and must be removed.

So, how do you know if you have an Ash tree on your property? Have us over to check out your property. During a complimentary landscape evaluation, we will identify any Ash trees, assess their health, and determine the right treatment path.

Alex and I have also been recommending that our customers download the free phone application called “Picture This”. Using the app, you can photograph trees and shrubs on your property and it will immediately tell you the name of that plant. Use it to identify the types of trees on your property and call us if you learn that you have any Ash!

If you do have an Ash tree and ~60% or more of the canopy has leafed out, your Ash tree can be saved with a trunk-injected insecticide treatment. The treatment is done by using a drill bit to make small holes around the base of the tree. Next, we insert a special “ArborPlug” into the holes. A needle is inserted into the ArborPlug and compressed air is used to propel the product directly into the tissue of the tree. The plug ensures that none of the product leaks out of the tree.

Your Ash trees should be treated once every two years to prevent significant damage and death due to Emerald Ash Borer.