Pest Alert!

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) will soon be coming to a tree near you.  The EAB is a boring beetle, accidentally imported from Asia sometime during the last several years.  According to the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, this pest could eventually rival Dutch Elm Disease in North America.  If you have ash trees on your property, you need to be on the lookout for signs of infestation.  Early detection is extremely important.

In Michigan, more than 5 million ash trees are dead or dying from this pest,
in 3000 square miles of forest. It has been spotted in Ontario, Ohio,
Maryland and Virginia. (Forest Service Pest Alert NA-PR-02-04).

Short summary of what to look for in your ash trees:

1. Woodpecker activity

2. Tree canopy degradation (loss of leaves)

3. Bark fissures

4. "D" shaped exit holes

5. "S" shaped insect galleries (bored paths beneath the bark)

Primary affected trees are:  green, white and black ash trees, as well as horticultural varieties of ash.  Please note that mountain ash trees are not affected - as they are not "true" ash trees.

Below are some very useful links for identifying signs of infestation. 

• Michigan State University EAP "Unwanted" poster (PDF)

• EAB website

• Forest Service EAB website

  • Forest Service EAB identification page