Emerald ash borer

The emerald ash borer is an extremely destructive invasive beetle that attacks and kills all ash tree species. It has already decimated millions of ash trees in North America.

If you are uncertain about the presence of ash trees on your property, as well as their state of health, we offer a full service of identification, consultation and detection in order to establish a precise diagnosis of your situation. . Once the work is done, we will give you a precise portrait of your options.

The life cycle of the emerald ash borer is usually completed in 1 or 2 years. When mature, the insect will lay between 30 and 60 eggs on or under the bark. After 2 to 3 weeks, the eggs will hatch and produce larvae which burrow, feed and cause severe damage. When mature, the emerald ash borer will move out of the tunnels. They emerge from the bark between May and June and thus produce a typical “D” shaped hole. They then feed on the leaves for a week before the next egg laying.

The emerald ash borer primarily infects the following trees: black ash, Pennsylvania ash, American ash, and blue ash. Also, insects are more often attracted to already fragile ash trees, generally the largest in diameter. Females can lay their eggs on other species of trees, but the larvae have been shown to not survive.

Unfortunately, there are few solutions if your tree is infected with the emerald ash borer. This is a persistent insect and depending on the current condition of your trees, their life expectancy will be around 2 years. If the growth environment is not removed, then the borer can infect your other ash trees.

Logging is often the best option and protects your other ash trees. The authorized period for felling an ash tree affected by the emerald ash borer is from October 1 to March 15, unless the tree is considered dangerous. If you are unsure of the state of danger your tree presents, a professional arborist is still the best solution to assess the situation and tell you whether it is legitimate to act right away.

If you would like more information on the emerald ash borer, its dangers and solutions, please consult this link: click here

If you would like the services and advice of a member of our team to assess your situation or to perform the necessary cutting work, contact us here.