Like a lot of tree problems, people aren’t always worried until they see signs of trouble. But with a tree pest like the Emerald Ash Borer (often shortened to “EAB”), you don’t want to take a “wait and see” approach. This highly destructive pest preys on Ash trees and will eventually kill it.
Unfortunately, if you have an Ash tree on your property it’s not a matter of “if” it will be infested by the EAB, but when. Prevention is the key to saving Ash trees in the US.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you ought to know about this invasive species, including treatments for the Emerald Ash Borer and why taking a proactive approach is so critical.
We’ll cover:
What is the Emerald Ash Borer?
Why Treating Emerald Ash Borer Early is Important
What is the Emerald Ash Borer Cure?
Choosing Tree Services in Louisville, KY
We know there’s a lot involved in tree care and it can be confusing. If you have Ash trees on your property, we’re here to help you protect them.
The EAB are borer beetles that arrived from Asia back in the 1990s and have become a significant problem as they feast on North American native Ash trees. These pests act quickly and can be incredibly destructive.
Emerald Ash Borers are large in their adult form and you may spot them. They are metallic green with a purplish-colored abdomen.
But sometimes people see EAB damage before spotting an actual pest.
You might also see D-shaped exit holes that are left when the adult beetle leaves the tree. Or, you may see S-shaped tracks caused by the back-and-forth motion the larvae takes during feeding.
Since woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, noticing heavy woodpecker damage on an ash tree is another possible sign of infestation, as well as die-back at the top of the tree.
Because EAB can be so destructive, prevention is truly your best chance of saving your Ash trees. The EAB has been nicknamed the “most destructive forest pest in North America.”
It’s simply not one that’s worth taking any chances on.
This species has proven to be spreading rapidly across Louisville. Its presence here was first detected in 2013, and it’s not going away. If you have an ash tree on your property and you haven’t had it inspected, now is the time to do so—before this pest makes its way onto your property.
You can’t wait until you see signs of trouble. The problem with spotting an EAB infection is that external, visible symptoms lag by at least a year. That means your tree has already been infected for at least an entire year before you even notice anything amiss.
For that reason, it’s essential to focus on how to prevent Emerald Ash Borer rather than try to catch up with a rampant infestation. At that point, it may be too late.
The proper treatment for Ash trees is important if you’re going to save them from the EAB. At Limbwalker, we use an annual soil drench or a two-year tree injection to address EAB and save Ash trees. Treatments for EAB occur from May through August.
These products get absorbed quickly and also translocate quickly throughout the tree. The injections target EAB larvae that might try to tunnel into the tree and prevent them from consuming its bark.
In some cases, by the time we are called in to evaluate a tree, it’s too late for Emerald Ash Borer treatments. There is a timeline for when products like these will be effective.
Ideally, as we’ve stressed, you want to start treatments before EAB has been able to feed on your tree at all. If your tree is caught with only minimal damage, there’s still a chance we can get control over the pest. However, even then, there’s no guarantee.
If the damage is already severe, it’s possible that tree removal might be your best (and safest) course of action.
The proper care of trees can make a world of difference in managing any insect infestation on trees. While the EAB are specifically targeting Ash trees, there are many other tree pests out there. And many tree pests are more likely to attack trees that are already struggling.
But even healthy trees can be subject to problems with tree pests. Even so, the healthier that your tree is to start with, the better it will fare when it comes to any problem that attacks.
Properly fertilizing, watering, and mulching trees can make a difference in maintaining their health. This is why we recommend investing in tree services in Louisville, KY More specifically, investing in plant health care, which includes both preventative and curative treatments as needed for tree pests, can help protect your trees.
With an expert on your side, you can let go of these worries and instead get back to enjoying your property. You’ll be able to feel confident that EAB and other potential problems won’t stand in your way.
If you’d like to learn more about plant health care for your Louisville home, get in touch, get your quote, and get back to enjoying your yard.