The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect native to North-Eastern Asia and was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. Since it was discovered it has devastated the Ash Tree population in the US. In 2012 the Emerald Ash Borer was confirmed in Bucks and Montgomery counties. EAB is very destructive and kills Ash trees quickly, within 1 -2 years. Starting treatments as early as possible and before severe damage occurs is essential to successfully treating your Ash trees.
How do you know if your Ash Trees are being attacked by EAB?
- Canopy Die Back – Does the upper canopy of your Ash Tree look thin or are there a lot of dead tips at the end of each branch?
- Water Sprouts or Sucker Growth – Do you see an excessive amount of water sprouts or sucker growth emerging along the trunk of the tree or on the larger branches?
- D Shaped Exit Holes – When the Emerald Ash Borers emerge from beneath the bark of the tree they leave holes on the trunk that are “D Shaped”
- Wood Peckers or Peeling Bark – Woodpeckers feed on the EAB larvae beneath the bark of Ash Trees. Woodpeckers peel or pull the bark off of infested Ash Trees to get into the galleries where the larvae feeds. This leaves the trunk of the tree looking scratched or as if the bark has been peeled off.
How to protect your Ash Tree from the Emerald Ash Borer?
Our Arborists at Clauser Tree Care can inspect your Ash Tree and develop a treatment program specifically designed to protect your Ash Tree from this devastating insect. We offer a variety of treatments from soil applications to trunk injections offering protection from 1 – 2 years. The method of treatment depends on the size of the tree being treated, its location and also its overall health.