Due to the fast spreading nature of emerald ash borer infestations, the USDA has imposed strict regulations regarding the treatment of emerald ash borer infestations and the disposal of ash trees.
This means to properly treat the emerald ash borer infestation it is important to use a professional, licensed and insured tree servicer like Ed’s Tree Service.
About the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
The emerald ash borer usually has a 1-year life cycle but the adult phase only lasts about 3 weeks. This is when the beetle is most easy to identify, but it is a later stage of the infestation. Adult beetles begin emerging in May or early June, with beetle activity peaking between mid-June and early July. Beetles generally are most active during the day, particularly when it is warm and sunny, making it more difficult to identify them during the winter months.
The USDA’s Pest Alert pamphlet can help you learn more about the emerald ash borer beetle.
Identifying an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
• Dead branches, beginning at the top of the canopy
• New branches and leaves growing at the base of the tree
• Vertical bark splits
• Woodpecker feeding
• D-shaped holes in the tree bark, from where the larvae emerge
• S-shaped larvae galleries on the tree bark, winding back and forth, from larvae feeding
Treating the Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
The only treatment for an infected ash tree is the proper removal and disposal of the ash tree to limit the spread of the emerald ash borer beetle to other ash trees. Removal is particularly important for trees that are at a later stage of infestation, or have died from the infestation, because it makes the trees much more vulnerable to falling, particularly with harsh winter storms.