For over a decade the Emerald Ash Borer has left a path of destruction across the north eastern part of the United States. While the State of Delaware has taken steps over the last 10 years to prevent the invasion from surrounding states, the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed.
Why is the Emerald Ash Borer a Problem?
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native and highly invasive insect that originated in Asia. In its natural home, they are easily controlled through local area predators. In American, however, the EAB has few predators and has spread rapidly over the past decade. Infestations kill the host trees, unbalancing the forest's ecosystem by exposing the forest floor to greater degrees of sun.
How Stein Tree Service Treats Emerald…show more content… When evaluating whether or not your ash trees are playing host to this invasive bug, certified Arborists will look for these signs, which include:
Canopy Dieback - Starting at the crown, the tree will slowly lose its foliage.
Epicormic Shoots - Sprouts will grow at the base of the tree and from the roots.
Bark Splitting - Callous tissue can form, causing the bark to split, often revealing galleries.
Serpentine Galleries - Tunnels under the bark caused by EAB larvae.
D-Shaped Exit Holes - Adults create distinct exit holes when they emerge from the tree.
Increased Woodpecker Activity - Woodpeckers cause damage to the trees as they hunt the larvae.
Outward signs don't normally show up until the infestation has reached critical levels. At this point, treatment centers around reducing the spread and treating the infected trees with specialized pesticides.
Fortunately, Delaware has spent the past 10 years preparing for this invasion. Only 2 percent of the forests are ash trees and nurseries have stopped selling saplings. If you notice signs of an infestation on your property, or if you are concerned for your ash tress, please contact the Certified Arborists at Stein Tree
