A green jewel-colored beetle that feeds on ash tree species is the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borers lay eggs in bark crevices where the larvae feed underneath the bark of trees, specifically, on ash trees. For the larvae to grow into adulthood, it generally takes 2 years. These beetles are highly destructive to ash trees since they are an invasive species. The emerald ash borer is about 5/16” long and 1/16” wide and are bright metallic green insect and feature a bright red upper abdomen. Emerald Ash Borers is what we at Tree Craft would like to further discuss today.
How did the Emerald Ash Borer Get Here?
Across Northern China, Japan, Eastern Asia, Eastern Russia, and Korea are the origins of the emerald ash borer. The first documented sighting in the U.S. was near Detroit, Michigan, which was June of 2002. The best theory is that these pests arrived on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes that originated from Asia. Our ash trees lack the ability to defend themselves against these insects in the United States. Ash trees can become infected and die from their infestation without the right treatments. Since they provide stormwater retention and pollution reduction, ash trees are vital to a healthy ecosystem.
How Do You Tell if your Ash Trees have EAB?
The four ash tree species including the black, blue, white, and green ash are attacked by the emerald ash borer. However, the mountain ash tree is not affected by the emerald ash borers to date. Look for these characteristics below to better help identify an infested ash tree.
Leaves: Ash leaves result from compounded and composed of 5-11 leaflets. The leaf margins may be smooth or toothed with a single bud at the end of the branch.
Bark Patterns: Young trees have fairly smooth bark, and the bark is tight with a distinct pattern of diamond-shaped ridges on mature trees.
Opposite Branching: Opposite branching is when the branches are directly across from each other and not staggered. Because limbs may die or break off, not every branch will have an opposite mate. They do not have a waxy coating and the branches are gray to brown in color.
Seeds: The seed present on the tree are dry, oar-shaped samaras and hang in a cluster until late fall or early winter.
How Do You Know if Your Ash Trees are Damaged By Emerald Ash Borers?
If you can spot the symptoms, detecting emerald ash borers can be easy. These insects burrow into the trees and feed on its nutrients. The pests lay larva in the bark and can reproduce and spread at an incredibly fast rate, as we mentioned. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to detect early stages of an infestation. The epicormic shoots originate from the trunk when the tree is under stress. Though it doesn’t always occur, the shoots can grow rapidly and quickly under the right conditions. Adult beetles will chew a D-shaped exit hole in the tree. When larva feeds under the bark, it makes an S-shaped path as it moves up or down the tree. Foliage turns yellow as the feeding beetles eventually kill the branches. Common on the trunk as well are bark deformities and cracks. It is essential you eliminate them as soon as possible if you suspect emerald ash borers.
Emerald Ash Borer Tree Treatments, Emergency Removal & More in West Norriton Township, Tredyffrin Township, East Norriton Township, Radnor, Wayne, Saint Davids, Lower Merion Township, Norristown, Upper Merion Township, Phoenixville & Greater King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
The good news is that you can prevent emerald ash borer beetles from spreading to your trees. Tree Craft of Main Line, PA offer an effective emerald ash borer treatment. We can inject the treatment directly into the tree’s trunk just above the soil line and it is then taken up naturally by the tree’s vascular system, the same way nutrients and water are moved throughout a tree. This process allows the product to reach all of the tree’s living parts, including the trunk, branches, twigs and leaves. Unfortunately, untreated trees infested with emerald ash borers decline quickly, often within three to four years. Generally, 30% of the crown of the tree is dead, there is no saving it. To make matters worse, ash trees get extremely brittle after they die and their limbs break easily making them a hazard. Dead ash trees need to be cut down quickly to both remove this danger and help prevent the spread to healthy trees. If you suspect an infestation call us as soon as possible to ensure the health and safety of your trees.
