Science Based Emerald Ash Borer Treatment by Certified Arborists

Recognizing an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

Early detection is the single most important factor in saving an ash tree from EAB. The beetle's larvae feed beneath the bark, destroying the vascular tissue that transports water and nutrients throughout the tree. By the time external symptoms become obvious, the infestation is often well advanced. The earliest visible sign is canopy thinning that starts in the upper third of the tree, where leaves become sparse and branches begin to die back. As the infestation progresses, look for D-shaped exit holes about one-eighth inch wide in the bark where adult beetles have emerged. Vertical bark splits may develop as the tree produces callus tissue over larval feeding galleries. Increased woodpecker activity is another reliable indicator, as woodpeckers strip bark to feed on EAB larvae beneath the surface. Epicormic sprouting, where new shoots emerge from the trunk and major branches, is the tree's stress response to canopy loss. If you observe any of these symptoms on an ash tree, contact our arborists for an immediate assessment.