Terry's Gardening Tips
Facts About the Emerald Ash Borer
What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)? EAB is an insect from Asia, inadvertently imported 10-15 years ago that has invaded parts of Ohio and is starting to kill ash trees.
This wood-boring beetle generally kills ash trees over a three to five year period. Adults are dark metallic green, about the size of a TIC-TAC, and are able to migrate between trees from May and September. Once they lay eggs beneath the bark the insect larvae remain beneath the bark of trees and when they emerge as adults, leave behind small D-shaped exit holes in the bark.
EAB initially arrived through cargo containers and infested Michigan. The EAB is now in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio with the closest spotting to Cincinnati along I-75 in Warren County. The migration pattern of the pest would indicate that the spotty infestation areas indicate the pest is being transported thru contaminated wood products such as firewood. The City of Montgomery has been working with the Ohio Department of Agriculture to monitor small ash trees in our community. Thus far there have been no sightings of EAB in Montgomery.
The City of Montgomery will continue to work with the Department of Agriculture to monitor the pest. Some Ohio communities have responded to EAB by indicating that they want to remove all ash trees whether or not there are infested. The City’s approach regarding this pest is cautious and reactionary.
This monitoring approach has historical relevance. Many of you will remember another notorious pest, the Elm bark beetle that impacted and killed elm trees in the 1970’s and 80’s. While many elms died as result of this pest, some trees survived. Had communities simply removed all elm trees at that time an entire species of trees would have been eliminated.
A wonderful example of an elm tree that survived the impacts of the Elm bark beetle is at the Montgomery Safety Center just east of the “Safety Sea”. The survival of this tree is due in part to genetics and natural selection and should be viewed as a basis to not panic and remove every ash tree just because there is a pest that is threatening that particular tree species.
The City of Montgomery stopped planting ash trees in 2004 as a precautionary measure even though ash trees were available and at a good price. Presently one is not even able to purchase ash trees at Ohio nurseries. The City of Montgomery will continue the monitoring program and enjoy the beauty of our Ash tree population however we must temper that with preparation for the worst if, or when, the EAB arrives so that our urban forests are protected for current and future generations.
One question often asked is whether or not ash tree be treated to prevent attack. Companies do advertise treatments but these treatments are generally not guaranteed to prevent infestation, are expensive and have to be applied every year.
For further information contact a reputable tree company with questions regarding treatment options and costs. With approximately 10 -15% percent of all trees in the City of Montgomery being Ash trees, once EAB arrives it will most likely have a huge impact on our landscapes.
If you would like more information concerning the Emerald Ash Borer you can contact the Ohio department of Agriculture toll free at 1-888-OHIO-EAB or online at www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab.
