A York Region Arborist talks about the Emerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer is one insect that has received a great deal of attention lately, due to the amount of damage it has done to trees in eastern Canada, including Ontario. Native to Asia, this beetle was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, and conservationists everywhere have been scurrying to control the spread of it ever since.
The emerald ash borer is aptly named because it is dark green in color. Adults are around 8.5 millimeters long and about 1.6 millimeters wide. They have a narrow body and flat head with black eyes. These insects begin mating one week after they emerge, and a typical female can lay up to 100 eggs during her short lifespan of around two months.
The primary damage to ash trees is done by larvae, which are newly hatched insects. Larvae bore through the bark of trees and feed on new sapwood, which in turn prohibits the tree from transporting nutrients and water throughout. The result is that the tree is unable to sustain itself, and will eventually die.
Since its arrival, the emerald ash borer has killed millions of trees. Numerous quarantines have been enforced in an effort to combat its spread, since moving infected logs or hardwood could result in even more trees being lost.
Some signs your ash tree might be affected by this creature include:
- A d-shaped exit hole in the bark
- Heavy woodpecker damage, as woodpeckers prey on emerald ash borer larvae
- Presence of adult insects
- Dieback of the upper crown
- Vertical splits in the bark
If you are plagued with an emerald ash borer infestation, take action now to prevent further damage. A York region arborist is your best line of defense against these insects.
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