Posted on November 22, 2024 by bbomi
Sturdy trunks and wide branches make ash trees a solid shade tree, popular in parks, along streets and in yards across the country. Unfortunately, their numbers are dwindling quickly — the culprit is the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB). Native to Asia, this small beetle has caused major destruction to the ash trees in the United States. Learn more about the effects of ash trees dying and what you can do about it in your yard.
Adult pests only cause minor leaf damage, but the larvae slowly kill the tree as they eat the inner bark. When this happens, the tree can’t move water and nutrients from the roots to the branches, causing the tree to die. It usually takes 3-5 years to kill the tree completely, but signs of an infestation show earlier. It’s difficult to get an accurate count of how many ash trees have died, but the number is likely in the hundreds of millions.
The first sighting of emerald ash borers in the United States was in 2002 near Detroit. It’s impossible to know when the first pest entered the United States, but the invasive species likely traveled on wood pallets and crates shipped from Asia. The pests slowly spread to other surrounding states, often on firewood transported to different areas. As of 2024, the pest has been found in 36 states, including most of the middle and eastern parts of the country, along with the District of Columbia and some Canadian provinces.
If your ash tree is infested with emerald ash borers, you may see specific signs. However, it can take time before the symptoms are noticeable. If you have ash trees, check on them regularly and note any changes to their growth or health. Common signs of an emerald ash borer infestation include:
Dying branches: The pests often cause dead branches at the top, resulting in a thinning canopy. This is due to the lack of nutrients needed to sustain the branches.
Your best bet for saving a dying ash tree is to catch the infestation early. Treatment with insecticide is possible if your tree has lost less than 50% of its canopy. More significant canopy loss could mean the tree is too far gone, and treatments may not work.
Specific insecticides are registered to treat emerald ash borer infestations. Professional treatment for the infestation is often more effective. Lawn Doctor has extensive knowledge in treating the pests and has access to commercial-grade insecticides and specialty application tools to get better results.
You may need to treat your tree every year to keep the pests away. Treating ash trees with insecticide as a preventative measure is also an option. This can help your trees stay healthy if you live in an area where there’s an emerald ash borer infestation.
Will all ash trees die eventually due to the emerald ash borer? It’s impossible to know for sure, but there is hope for the species. The invasive pests haven’t reached all states. With treatment options, it’s possible to save trees even after they’re infested with insects. The key is keepi
ng your trees healthy and treating them at the first signs of an infestation. You can also minimize the spread of the pests by only using local firewood.
At Lawn Doctor, we offer tree and shrub care services to keep your landscaping in excellent health. Our services include inspecting plants to check their health and treating them for disease and insect infestations. Contact us today if you have concerns about your ash trees or any other plants in your yard.
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As we discussed in our previous post, the pest Emerald...
