Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) –Still Spreading Throughout Minnesota
Why Ash Trees are valuable (and why EAB is a problem):
Minnesota has nearly one billion ash trees, according to the MN DNR.
Ash trees were often planted to replace American elms lost to Dutch elm disease.
Ash, especially black ash, is an important species to our state's lumber industry.
Emerald ash borer, a small insect, attacks all ash species: green, white, and black.
Basically, it's a near-extinction event for ash trees in North America because they have no natural defenses against the insect.
EAB population is currently peaking in the Twin Cities area with the vast majority of untreated ash trees declining rapidly or already dead.
The only defense against this invasive and deadly insect is preventative treatment by a certified arborist.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) History:
Globally: EAB is from Northeastern Asia where it only attacks weak ash trees; healthy ash trees can fight off EAB.
Nationally: It first appeared near Detroit in June 2002, though experts think it was actually here since the 1990s.
Locally: Found in St. Paul near the U of MN campus in May 2009.
Spotting EAB Symptoms:
Starts with the top of the tree looking thin.
Within 2-3 years, the upper canopy is mostly dead, but you might see a flush of healthy-looking growth lower on the trunk.
The bark in the upper parts can look splotchy, called "blonding."
Emerging adults make the distinctive “D” shaped holes, often more visible on medium sized branches.
Tree death usually follows quickly, about 3-4 years after the EAB attacks.
What is an Emerald Ash Borer?
Adult insects are slender, ⅜ inch long, emerald green in color and rarely seen.
Cream-colored larvae are found under the bark feeding on the inner bark and cambium. They are slender as well and ½ to 1½ inches long.
Larval feeding causes “S” shaped galleries, preventing water and nutrient movement in the tree, which is what eventually kills the tree.
What Can You Do About Emerald Ash Borer: Treat or Remove Ash Trees
Slow the spread: do not move firewood. In other words, do not take firewood to your cabin. The majority of northern Minnesota counties are under EAB quarantine because of this.
Treat your ash trees. If you are not treating your ash trees, they will die from EAB.
Missing even one every-other-year scheduled treatment can lead to serious decline and possibly death of your ash tree.
If you haven't started treating by now, it likely is too late to save your ash trees.
How Shadywood Can Help:
We have been protecting ash trees since 2009. We are the experts!
We offer all the latest EAB treatment options.
Our arborists are full-time, year-round professionals who will check out your ash trees before recommending a treatment plan.
Removing EAB-affected ash trees is risky because their branches far more quickly than other recently-dead trees become weaker and more brittle. Our team has the training, experience, and equipment to remove these trees safely and efficiently.
We offer full tree pruning, removal and stump grinding services. In addition, our plant health care division can care for your valuable trees, evaluating their health, creating customized health programs to keep these trees healthy and flourishing for as long as possible.
The Future of Ash Trees:
EAB is seriously changing the look of our streets, parks, and wooded areas.
In just a few years, ash trees will be a rare sight in Minnesota's towns and forests.
In Northern and central Minnesota, a valuable lumber resource will be lost.
Research and testing is being done to find ash trees that are naturally resistant