Emerald Ash Borer, is an insect that kills ash trees over time. Some of the signs of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation are most easily seen in winter. Do you know what they are?
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is slowly killing ash trees in Apple Valley. The larval form of the insect lives under the bark of ash trees, and slowly kills the tissue that conducts nutrients/sugars/food of infected trees. Unfortunately, EAB infestations can be hard to spot because it is a small insect, spends so much of its life under the bark of ash trees, and its damaging affects take a couple of years to affect tree growth. Unlike most other tree diseases, it is actually easier to spot symptoms of EAB in winter. Here are the top 3 signs that your ash tree may have Emerald Ash Borer that you can spot in winter:
1.Heavy woodpecker damage. These are buff patches in the bark of the tree where the upper layer of bark has been shaved off as woodpeckers try to get at the EAB larva under the bark. Because EAB infestations often start at the top of the tree, you may want to look up or even use a pair of binoculars.
3.Vertical cracking in the bark that is not deep into or through the trunk; the cracking is in the bark only. These cracks are much easier to spot at a distance from the tree. The cracking results from weakness created under the bark of the tree from the larva galleries of EAB.
4.Sinuous s-shaped larval galleries. As the EAB larva burrows under the bark of the tree, they create these unique patterns. You will often see these s-shaped patterns under areas of vertical cracking. In other cases, a section of bark may have fallen off the tree.
Remember, EAB infestations often start at the tops of trees, so look up and not just at the trunk of the tree. If you suspect your tree may have Emerald Ash Borer, contact Apple Valley Natural Resources for an inspection at natresource@cityofapplevalley.org or 952-953-2400. Trees left untreated will eventually get infested by Emerald Ash Borer, so be sure to take advantage of local programs that help you protect your tree.