An emerald ash borer is a metallic green beetle, about half an inch long, native to Asia. While it may look harmless, it can have devastating consequences for our North American ash trees (genus Fraxinus). Specifically, the adult beetles feed on the leaves, while their larvae burrow into the tree and feed on the inner bark. Eventually, this pest activity cuts off the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients and can end up killing the tree within just two to four years.
While emerald ash borers pose a significant risk to our urban and natural forests, you can take heart knowing it is possible to control EAB populations and save your trees. The key is early detection and proactive management. At Blue Pine Works LLC, our ISA-certified arborists are here to support your efforts, protect your valuable ash trees, and preserve the beauty of your property.
If you have ash trees in your landscape, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today to learn more about our emerald ash borer control and treatment services in Pine City, MN.
Signs of an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
Catching an infestation early significantly increases the chances of saving your tree. So, if you spot any of the following problems with your ash trees, contact our arborists right away about EAB treatment in Pine City, MN:
- Canopy Thinning and Dieback: The leaves in the upper third of the tree will begin to thin out, and branches will start to die. The dieback will progress down the tree as the infestation worsens.
- D-Shaped Exit Holes: As adult beetles emerge from the tree, they chew a distinctive D-shaped exit hole that is about 1/8 inch in diameter.
- Bark Splits: As the larvae create their galleries underneath the bark, it can cause the bark to split vertically. If you peel back a split, you will likely see the winding, S-shaped tunnels.
- Epicormic Sprouting: When a tree is under extreme stress, it may try to survive by sending out new shoots, or suckers, from its trunk and major branches.
- Increased Woodpecker Activity: Woodpeckers love to feed on EAB larvae. If you notice a sudden increase in woodpecker activity on your ash trees, especially during the winter, they may be trying to tell you something.
One of the biggest challenges of detecting EAB activity is that a tree can be infested for a year or more before it begins to show obvious signs of distress. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in routine plant health care services. Our ISA-certified arborists can provide treatment that keeps these pests at bay as well as detect early warning signs of an infestation.
Our EAB Treatment Options
Since there are several treatment options for emerald ash borer infestations, our ISA-certified arborists will assess the health of your ash trees and recommend a customized treatment plan that is right for your property. No matter if you need treatment to prevent an infestation or help manage an existing one, we will always provide environmentally responsible solutions that not only protect the longevity of your trees but also the surrounding landscape.
Trunk Injections
Trunk injections are the most effective and widely used method for controlling the emerald ash borer. This process involves drilling small holes into the base of the tree’s trunk and injecting a specialized insecticide directly into its vascular system. The tree then transports the product up to the canopy so that the entire tree is protected from the inside out.
Soil Applications
This method involves mixing a liquid insecticide with water and pouring it around the base of the tree. The tree’s roots absorb the product from the soil and transport it throughout the tree. This treatment option can be effective for smaller trees (typically less than 15 inches in diameter), but it can take several weeks or even months for the product to be fully distributed throughout the tree.
Bark Sprays
Systemic bark sprays involve applying a concentrated insecticide directly to the lower six feet of the tree’s trunk. The product is absorbed through the bark and transported throughout the tree. The timing of the application is critical for success, and the product can be susceptible to breakdown from sunlight and rain. If our professionals choose this form of emerald ash borer treatment for your trees, you can rest assured that we will time the application appropriately.
Will an EAB-Infested Tree Need to Be Removed?
This is a question our arborists hear often, and the answer depends entirely on the health of the tree. As a general rule, if an ash tree has lost more than 30-50% of its canopy to EAB, the likelihood of it surviving, even with treatment, is very low. It’s also important to note that trees killed by EAB become extremely brittle and hazardous very quickly. The dead wood can snap and fall unexpectedly, putting people and property at risk. In these cases, we often recommend tree removal instead of other forms of emerald ash borer treatment.
When you reach out to our team for emerald ash borer control and treatment in Pine City, MN, we will perform a thorough assessment to determine if your tree can be saved or if it needs to be safely removed. This way, you can have peace of mind that your property will be treated with the utmost respect.
How to Prevent Emerald Ash Borer Infestations
Being proactive is the single most important thing you can do to protect your ash trees from an EAB infestation. In addition to providing emerald ash borer control solutions, our ISA-certified arborists also frequently recommend:
- Maintaining Tree Health: A healthy tree is better able to withstand environmental stress and pests. Regular tree pruning, watering, and deep-root fertilization, therefore, are all important for supporting stronger trees.
- Starting Preventative Treatments: If you have healthy ash trees, don’t wait for EAB to show up. A preventative treatment plan is the most effective way to ensure their long-term survival.
- Monitoring Your Trees: Regularly inspect your ash trees for the early signs of infestation listed above. The sooner you catch a problem, the more options you’ll have for saving your tree.
- Avoiding Moving Firewood: Always buy and burn firewood locally to avoid accidentally transporting invasive pests.
- Promoting Tree Diversity: If you are planting new trees, consider species other than ash. A diverse landscape is more resilient to pests and diseases that target specific species.
Keep Your Ash Trees Protected From Emerald Ash Borers
Emerald ash borers have been spreading across the United States since 2002, and unfortunately, they aren’t going anywhere any time soon. This makes it more important than ever to be proactive about your trees’ care.
The team at Blue Pine Works LLC is here to be your partner in tree care. Led by an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist with over 15 years of experience, we have the expertise and tools to help you navigate the threat of EAB. We can provide comprehensive tree health assessments, develop a customized EAB management plan for your property, and perform treatments with precision.
Protect the beautiful ash trees that make your Pine City property special. Get in touch with our expert team today, and let’s work together to keep our community’s canopy healthy and strong!