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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
What is Emerald Ash Borer?
Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a tiny, half-inch long, invasive insect that infests and kills native North American ash species, including green, white, black and blue ash. It is a metallic green insect that feeds on the layer of the tree just under the bark and prevents the movement of life-sustaining sugar, water and nutrients through the tree. Most trees die within 2-4 years after being infested with EAB.
As of October 2018, EAB has been found in 35 states in the U.S., and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba.
Click here to see an enlargement of the map above.
What can You do?
Images: (Top) EAB larva (Middle) Ridges caused by EAB feeding on the the ash tree's cambium layer (Botton) EAB beetleAccording to the The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), identifying current infestations is critical to stopping its spread. Signs of EAB, include:
- The presence of the small, metallic green insect.
- Tiny D-shaped holes in the bark.
- S-shaped galleries and splitting bark.
- Thinning crown of the tree – due to lack of water and nutrients.
- Excessive sprouting -- new growth at the base of the trunk or on main branches.
- Woodpecker damage -- EAB are often sought out and attacked by woodpeckers.
We are recommending that everyone with ash trees on their property in our region discuss a management plan for EAB with their arborist. This would include treatment options as well as the possibility of tree removal if the tree becomes unviable and unsafe to climb depending on its location. Since the borer population is so great and devours the entire cambium, the trees can become brittle and unpredictable during the removal process.
Almstead's NJ Branch Manager, Ryan Duff and PHC technician, Jim Hurley, inoculating ash trees in the Grove of Remembrance at Liberty State Park (Oct. 2018)Almstead is currently inoculating hundreds of ash trees against EAB for city, state, commercial and residential customers. We’ve been at the forefront of the fight against EAB in our region. We have the experience, training and state-of-the-art equipment required to perform successful treatments. In 2016, Almstead partnered with ArborJet to inoculate ash trees at the Grove of Remembrance at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Since then, we have been treating (and removing) ash trees in several locations, including many through New York City Parks Department which has committed resources towards inoculating and preserving selected ash bordering infestation areas.
Your arborist can identify and qualify the ash trees that are worthy of preservation on your property and decide on a plan of action with you. The best option is to inoculate your trees before EAB is detected. Treating trees once EAB is found may slow its spread and save healthy trees nearby. We believe that trees under a 20% to 30% die-back in crown can be inoculated.
If EAB is discovered on your property, your arborist will work with you to determine a management plan. It may include treatment or tree removal based on the severity of the infection, the tree’s condition, and contribution benefits to the landscape. Treatment has been shown to be more cost effective than removal over the pest presence in the area, which could be 7-10 years.
Emerald Ash Borer Resources...
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Print out these 18 pages of photos to help you identify EAB, infestations, Ash trees, and more.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
This site contains maps and information on EAB in New York.
Emerald Ash Borer in New Jersey
State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture
This site contains maps and information on EAB in New Jersey.
Emerald Ash Borer in Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
This site contains maps and information on EAB in Connecticut.
New York Invasive Species Information
New York Invasive Species (NYIS.info)
NYIS.info is a gateway for New Yorkers to access timely, accurate scientific and policy information so they can make informed decisions about preventing, eradicating, controlling and managing invasive species in New York State. NYIS.info also provides information on upcoming invasive species events and invasive species news of interest to New Yorkers.
Signs and Symptoms of the Emerald Ash Borer
Michigan State University Extension & Dept. of Entomology
A 2-page handout with color photos of adult and larval EAB, Ash canopy die-back, and other signs of EAB infestation.
Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer
North Central IPM Center (a collaboration of Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
A 16-page booklet that covers insecticide options for treating EAB infestation and their effectiveness.
Contact your local Almstead branch office!
(click on links for more information about each branch office)
Serving Lower Westchester County
(south of I-287) and New York City, NY
58 Beechwood Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
P: 914-576-0193
Serving Upper Westchester County, NY
(north of I-287)
15 Broadway
Hawthorne, NY 10532
P: 914-741-1510
Serving Fairfield County, CT
547 Hope Street
Stamford, CT 06907
P: 203-348-4111
Serving Bergen County, NJ, Passaic County, NJ and Rockland County, NY
504 High Mountain Road
North Haledon, NJ 07508
P: 973-636-6711
HOME PAGE
EAB In the News...
Invasive Beetle Threatens 9/11 Memorial Trees At Liberty State Park
(October 11, 2018 -- CBS News)
This news segment features Ryan Duff, Almstead's New Jersey Branch Manager.
DEC lifts quarantine on movement of ash wood products in NY
(July 28, 2018 -- Daily Freeman)
The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced recently it was lifting the quarantine on the movement of ash wood products in New York. In a notice posted to its website, DEC said the “regulations are no longer serving the purpose of slowing the spread of Emerald Ash Borer or allowing time for municipal governments to plan for the arrival of Emerald Ash Borer.”
City Forced To Cut Down Ash Trees
(October 17, 2018 -- The Post Journal)
The emerald ash borer is an insect originating from China that uses the ash tree as food when it is in the larval stage. The larva will burrow through the tree, cutting off food and water from reaching all areas of the tree causing it to eventually die.
Students Work to Defeat Invasive Emerald Ash Borers
(October 22, 2018 -- The Roll Daily News)
A team of students from Missouri University of Science and Technology are working to create ash trees that are genetically resistant to the invasive emerald ash borer.
Destructive emerald ash borer found in new spots in Upstate NY
(April 14, 2018 -- The Post Journal)
The emerald ash borer is an insect originating from China that uses the ash tree as food when it is in the larval stage. The larva will burrow through the tree, cutting off food and water from reaching all areas of the tree causing it to eventually die.
(August 25, 2018 -- NBC2 WGRZ)
The Western New York landscape is now strewn with dead and dying Ash trees. The evidence of the Ash Borer's destruction is crystal clear, and our environment may never be the same.
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