Fighting Emerald Ash Borer

Ash trees are among the most common deciduous trees in North America. In recent years, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been wreaking havoc on ash trees throughout the U.S. and Canada. This has left many homeowners and townships with the task of removing millions of dying or dead ash trees. It also forces the population to come up with a plan of what to do if/when an EAB infestation happens.

What exactly is an Emerald Ash Borer?
It’s a beetle that is actually native to Northeastern Asia. It likely made its way to the U.S. via cargo ships or planes transporting wood packing materials from Asia. It was first discovered in the Detroit area in the year 2002. Recent stats show that, as of May 2018, EAB has been confirmed found in 33 states, in addition to the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba.

The spread of EAB is leaving millions of dead ash trees in its wake. In an effort to stop this spread, many states have initiated quarantines that prohibit moving infected trees, untreated ash tree fire wood, ash wood chips greater than one inch in diameter, and related nursery stock from areas where known infestations have taken place.

The effects of EAB infestations are so devastating and widespread that researchers believe EAB will kill virtually all ash trees in an area where infestation occurs. To date, the financial cost to forest product businesses, nurseries, and even property owners has been staggering.

The Value of Ash Trees
Green and white ash trees are strong, yet lightweight. This makes their timber valuable. Indeed, ash is used in the creation of many items we use every day, such as:

• baseball bats
• guitars
• handles for shovels, rakes, hoes, etc.
• hockey sticks
• oars and paddles
• tennis rackets

How Do You Combat the Emerald Ash Borer?
So, what can you do if you are in an area that has been infested by EAB? The first thing you need to do is figure out if your property contains ash trees. In Michigan, as well as most of the country, the green ash and white ash are the most prevalent types of ash trees. The most common identifying features of ash trees are:

• leaves measuring 8-12 inches, with 5-9 staked leaflets
• young white ash bark is light gray, while older white ash bark is thick and firm with narrow ridges
• green ash bark features horizontal cracks with plate-like ridges and is not as firm as white ash
• green ash can grow to 70+ feet in height, while the white ash can grow as tall as 100 feet

If you have ash trees and are within 15 miles of a reported EAB outbreak, get your trees treated immediately. Common symptoms of an EAB infestation include:

• the presence of exit holes
• splitting bark
• increased woodpecker activity (and damage) to living trees

In Conclusion
If you are unsure about the best way to deal with EAB in your area, trust the tree maintenance professionals at E.P.M. Lawnscape and Supply. You can contact us online or call us at (517) 990-0110 today!