Do You Have Ash Trees? - We have found Emerald Ash Borer throughout central Ohio this last fall and spring, including areas in Powell, Deleware, Dublin, Westerville, Bexley, Upper Arlington, Hilliard, and New Albany

What is Emerald Ash Borer?

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle from Asia that has killed millions of ash trees in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic region and Canada since 2002. The half-inch long adult EAB has metallic green wings and causes little  damage to trees. The EAB larvae feed under the bark on the xylem layer, disrupting the movement of water and nutrients within the tree and typically causing death within a few years of infestation.

Are my trees at risk?

The EAB only attacks ash trees, but ash trees are found extensively in residential and commercial landscapes and natural woodlands. Mature ash trees have diamond shaped bark patterns and compound leaves composed of five to 11 leaflets. Correct identification of the trees in your landscape is the first step to determining if EAB will impact your landscape. Because EAB has been found in central Ohio, all ash trees are at risk for infection within a few years.

Treatment options

Treatments are available that may help prevent or slow down EAB infestation of your ash trees. These pesticides can serve as a control measure but are not a cure. Once treatments have begun, they must be continued on an annual basis to maintain effectiveness. First consider the overall health of the ash tree and its importance in your landscape. Specimen trees, trees that provide significant shade for outdoor areas, and healthy vigorous trees are ideal for preventative treatments. Removal and replacement with another species may be the best alternative for trees that are significantly infested or declining. It is strongly recommended that homeowners consult with a certified arborist to discuss appropriate treatment options and to avoid unnecessarily destroying a tree that can be saved