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Emerald Ash Borer: Death Sentence For Your Tree

Resources: Tree Problems

Emerald Ash Borer

If you have an ash tree you may have noticed small green flying insects attacking your tree. This insect is called the Emerald Ash Borer and has been labeled the most destructive pest in America. Most of the Emerald Ash Borer’s lifespan is spent in the larva stage where they feed on your trees. However, this is the time of year that adult borers emerge from your Ash trees to mate.

Right now and for the next few weeks you will see these insects flying around and laying their eggs on ash trees. After about 2 weeks the eggs will hatch and the larva will bore their way through the bark and into the cambial region of the tree.  This is where the Emerald Ash Borer becomes deadly. Once in the cambial region, this insect begins to feed on trees’ phloem, a thin layer of tissues that conducts sugars and nutrients throughout the tree. After a certain amount of the phloem has been destroyed it is impossible for the tree to get the nutrients it needs to keep living.  If you have an ash tree don’t give up all hope just yet, read on to learn more about a way to  protect your tree from Emerald Ash Borers.

EAB HISTORY:

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is considered the most destructive urban forest pest ever seen in North America. Introduced to Michigan from China sometime in the 1990’s, it is responsible for killing more than 50 million ash trees in over 20 states. Once infested ash trees have a 99% mortality rate if not treated. Luckily a treatment has been recently developed to save ash trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer; however, ash trees that have already suffered more than 50% dieback are unlikely to survive even with treatment

About The Treatment:

  • 1 treatment provides protection for 2 years
  • Treatment applied through soil injection or trunk injection (depends on your tree’s location).
  • Safe for the tree, humans, animals, and the general surrounding environment including other trees and plants.

Why Is Emerald Ash Borer Protection Important?

  • EAB is an invasive pest that has already killed over 50 Million Ash trees in 20+ states.
  • Once your Ash tree is infested with Emerald Ash Borers it has a 99% mortality rate. 
  • Prevention is key: once you see the signs the tree has most likely been infested for years.
  • Ash trees are home to over 43 different species which will be adversely affected if your ash tree dies.

Emerald Ash Borer Map
Emerald Ash Borer has spread to over 20 states.

Without treatment your tree has a 99% mortality rate.
Without treatment, your tree has a 99% mortality rate.

Emerald Ash Borer Signs & Symptoms:

  • Canopy dieback, beginning at the top and progressing downward.
  • In later stages, ash trees may form sprouts from the trunk and roots.
  • Increased woodpecker activity.
  • The tree’s bark can split, exposing “S”- shaped galleries underneath.
  • “D” Shaped exit holes in the tree’s bark about 1/8 inch in diameter.

“S”-Shaped Galleries

“S” Shaped Galleries

emerald ash borer

Woodpecker Activity On An Ash Tree

sick tree entry and exit holes

“D” Shaped Exit Holes


Frequently Asked EAB Questions

How Do I Know If My Tree Is Infested?

First, determine if your tree is an Ash tree by using our Ash Tree ID Guide. Once you know your tree is an Ash tree look for the Common Signs and Symptoms of Emerald Ash Borers.

Can My Ash Recover On Its Own?

No, once infested ash trees will die if not treated.

I’ve Treated My Trees In The Past For Borers. Are They Safe? 

No, there are many different types of borers that range in severity and each treatment is unique to the type of borer. Emerald Ash Borers are highly invasive and kill trees rapidly. In order to prevent them, specific treatment is needed.

Is It Better To Treat Or Remove My Ash Trees? 

Treatment is typically better than removal for a couple reasons.

  • First, it is the cheaper option. It is 4 times more expensive to remove a tree than to treat it, and 10 times more expensive to remove and replace the tree.
  • Secondly, ash trees are home to 43 different species which will be adversely affected if you remove your ash trees.
  • Lastly, mature trees add to home values. Removing your ash trees will decrease the value of your property.

However, not all ash trees are good candidates for treatment. As a common rule of thumb if 30% or more of the tree’s canopy has declined or died back the tree can not be saved by treatment and should be removed as soon as possible. An Emerald Ash Borer infestation weakens the structure of Ash trees which makes them more likely to fall and cause property damage. These trees are likely to be dangerous to remove and should be taken down by experience professionals using techniques other than climbing and tying into trees.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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