EMERALD ASH BORER, ONTARIO

You’ve probably seen recent articles or news stories on a little insect called the Emerald Ash Borer, and what problems they’re creating for our ecosystems. But what exactly is an Emerald Ash Borer?

The Emerald Ash Borer, also known as EAB, is a green jewel borer insect, native to China and eastern Asia. It is an invasive species, and is highly destructive to Ash trees. Originally discovered in America in June of 2002 in Michigan, it has since spread to Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois and Ontario.

Since 2002, Emerald Ash Borer has killed over tens of millions of ash trees and threatens to kill most of the 8.7 billion ash trees throughout North America. The Emerald Ash Borer, Ontario was discovered in the City of Toronto in 2007, and it is estimated that Toronto will lose almost all of their 860,000 Ash trees to these invasive wood borer insects.

How do I know if my Emerald Ash Tree is infested by the Emerald Ash Borer?

The Emerald Ash Borer is very difficult to diagnose, as 90% of its life cycle occurs within the inside of tree. Most borer insect beetles begin their infestation at the top of the tree where the most nutrient content is located, which makes it very hard to pinpoint if a beetle has entered a tree. It usually takes between 2 - 3 years before your tree will begin to show signs of damage. Look for the following signs to determine if your emerald ash tree has been infected with Emerald Ash Borer:

• Upper canopy begins to thin, leaves show signs of under-development

• Increased woodpecker activity

• Early summer/fall leaf loss

• Sucker growth, the tree begins producing new replacement trees outof major crotches, branches or at the base of the trunk

• Branch or section die off completely

• D-shaped exit holes

What does the Emerald Ash Borer do?

The adult beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees and the eggs hatch into larvae. The larvae cause significant damage by boring s-shaped tunnels just under the bark, directly in the layer that is responsible for transporting water and nutrients.

Will an Emerald Ash Borer infest my house?

No, Emerald Ash Borers can only live in Ash trees, and therefore will not infest any type of wood like other wood borer insects.

If you think you have a tree on your property infested with Emerald Ash Borer, Ontario contact a certified arborist so they can do a thorough assessment and diagnosis. In many municipalities, you’ll need a permit to remove trees, which is why we recommend hiring a professional.