Watch Your ASH!

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Many of the Green Ash trees, Fraxinus pennsylvanica are dying in Perry, Ohio – Lake County. Why?

dying ash

Green ash is popular as a shade tree in residential areas because of its good form and adaptability to a wide range of sites.

Ash Street tree

 

It is susceptible to Emerald Ash borer, an invasive species.

Dying ash 3

 

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage.

eab adult

5449380 Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

 

The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees,

eab larvae

5471796 Kenneth R. Law, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

 

disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients.

EAB Gallery

Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. As of August 2017, it is now found in 31 states, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Since its discovery, EAB has:

  • Killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America.

eab trees in woods

  • Caused regulatory agencies and the USDA to enforce quarantines and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or hardwood firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.
  • Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators, and forest products industries hundreds of millions of dollars.

Dead Ash standing

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

Symptoms include defoliation, D-shaped exit holes in the bark,

exit holes EAB

wood pecker damage (as they hunt for the larvae)

woodpecker AEB

and ‘blonding’, which is large portions of bark that fall off the tree reveal a patch of wood that looks ‘blond’ in color. 

eab blonding

A tree that shows severe infestation will die within the year. The danger is these trees soon become a fall hazard and need to be removed before injury or property damage occurs. It is recommended that you hire a tree removal service that is ISA certified and/or bonded.

ash fallen

 

Now that the Emerald Ash Borer has infested Lake County, Ohio, many Green Ash trees in the landscape and forest woodlots have died. But the real danger is right overhead.

ash fall 2

 

With dead trees and wind combinded, it can be a costly and deadly combination. A tree that shows severe infestation will die within the year. The danger is these trees soon become a fall hazard and need to be removed before injury or property damage occurs.

Ash Stump

 

Our understanding of how EAB can be managed successfully with insecticides has advanced since this bulletin was initially published in 2009. This version has been revised to address frequently asked questions and reflect the current state of understanding of insecticide options for controlling EAB and their effectiveness. It is important to note that research is an ongoing process. Scientists from universities, government agencies, and companies will continue to make discoveries and advance EAB management and ash conservation.

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf