Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle from Asia that was discovered (in North America) in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage, causing little damage. However, the larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree.
The emerald ash borer most likely arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes arriving from Asia, and has most likely spread by hitchhiking on firewood transported among homes and recreation areas in at least 34 states.
In addition to Missouri, the emerald ash borer has been found in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, as well as, the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in Canada.
Since its discovery in the US, the emerald ash borer has:
- Killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in at least 34 states.
- Caused regulatory agencies to enforce quarantines and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.
- Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries millions of dollars.
Emerald Ash Borer. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2019, from https://agriculture.mo.gov/plants/pests/emeraldash.php
Emerald Ash Borer. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2019, from https://agriculture.mo.gov/plants/pests/emeraldash.php
What if you have an ash tree?
Take action before removal is your only option! If you have an ash tree, you have the choice to protect or remove your tree(s). We recommend that residents consider protecting large, well-placed, healthy private ash trees as part of an EAB treatment program.
Considerations for Treatment:
- Tree size greater than 10” in diameter.
- The Tree is not competing with other trees or infrastructure.
- The Ash tree shows no more than 30% of canopy decline if an infestation is suspected.
Managing Ash Trees. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2019, from https://www.rainbowtreecare.com/emerald-ash-borer/managing-ash-trees/
To better address situations such as these, All About Trees has created a Plant Health Care (PHC) & Integrated Pest Management Program.
Objectives of All About Trees Plant Health Care & Integrated Pest Management Program:
- All About Trees is focused on appropriate care for trees and shrubs, using safe, effective, and well-timed visits and applications.
- We only administer treatments as deemed necessary, and never try to just “make a sale” of pesticide applications.
- All About Trees uses the safest methods for application, using as much systemic products as possible, and never doing tree sprays over 25’ high to limit drift possibility.
- Our Plant Health Care Arborists will diagnose insect and disease problems, as well as soil, moisture, and fertility issues. We also recommend how and when a plant health issue warrants treatment.
Please give us a call if you’d like to be added to our calendar for a yearly maintenance check of your trees!
