Identifying Emerald Ash Borer

As fall's colors emerge, it's hard to miss the
striking gold and purple leaves of ash trees lining streets and roads in many Midwestern U.S. states. However, when emerald ash borer arrives, many ash trees planted in towns, cities and conservation
plantings could be lost.
     
First detected in southeast Michigan in 2002, emerald ash borer, or EAB, is an exotic beetle that attacks and kills all native ash species, including white, green, black and autumn purple ash. To date the beetle is present in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West
Virginia and Ontario, Canada and has killed approximately 25 million ash trees.
     
With the help of a $1 million U.S. Forest Service grant, the Nebraska Forest Service, in partnership with state forestry agencies in Kansas, South Dakota and North Dakota, is engaging in a regional initiative to prepare for the insect's arrival.

Symptoms of EAB include winding tunnels just under the bark, one-eighth inch, D-shaped exit holes on the trunk, as well as canopy loss, usually from the top down. Trees infested with EAB also may have sprouts growing from the roots or trunk of the tree. Other symptoms include vertical splitting in the bark on the trunk and increased woodpecker activity.
     

Adult emerald ash borers mating

The insect itself is bright, metallic green with a flat back. Adults are typically one-half inch long.
     
Because EAB only attacks ash trees, individuals also should be sure the tree in question is an ash and not a similar-looking species.
     
If a tree is infested with EAB, it must be removed to help prevent the insect from spreading to neighboring ash trees. In urban areas, trees
may be near utility lines, homes or other buildings, so it is often best to have the tree removed by a certified arborist.
     
Reputable arborists should be able to provide proof of insurance and references, as well as written documentation of the work that will be done.
     
For more information about identifying EAB, visit Emerald Ash Borer
     
"There is no doubt EAB will be a disaster for our communities, but it is a disaster we can prepare for. It will be similar to Dutch Elm disease
in the 1960s, which rapidly killed millions of trees in Nebraska and dramatically converted lush urban forests to barren, shadeless urban landscapes," said Scott Josiah, state forester and director, Nebraska Forest Service.
     
Source:Nebraska Forest Service