Emerald Ash Borer - what should you know?

Some interesting things to know about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB):   

• June 2002 – the EAB was first discovered in Michigan
• 2006 – the EAB was first discovered in Kane County, IL
• Ash Trees cover 20% of streets in the greater Chicagoland area
• Asia – where the beetle comes from. It is thought it came to the states in wood packing material
• TENS of MILLIONS: the cost to municipalities, homeowners and nurseries 
• TENS of MILLIONS of Ash trees killed in Illinois alone and still counting
• This beetle when an adult is shiny green metallic and about ½ long
• This pesky beetle only attacks ash trees
• A D-shaped exit hole is found on the tree when the adult emerges
• Woodpeckers love the taste of this shiny beetle, so heavy woodpecker damage may be a sign of infestation
• Firewood can’t be moved in many areas in the Midwest due to the EAB quarantine.
• All of Illinois is quarantined from taking ash products outside the state. A state quarantine is in place for the 25 northeastern-most counties of Illinois. THE REMOVAL OF THE EAB, ASH TREES, LIMBS OR BRANCHES OF ANY SIZE, ASH FIREWOOD OR LOGS OR ANY ITEM MADE USING AS WOOD IS PROHIBITED FROM LEAVING THE QUARANTINED AREAS.

Quarantine Boundaries Defined per the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Effective November 10, 2011

Regulated Areas, shall read:

1.The entire Counties of Boone, Bureau, Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cook, Cumberland, DeKalb, Dewitt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Macon, Marion, Marshall, McHenry, McLean, Moultrie, Ogle, Piatt, Putnam, Shelby, Stark, Vermillion, Will, Winnebago, and Woodford; and

2. Any other area within the State of Illinois where the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is confirmed in the future. These amendments to the Quarantine shall be effective on or after this 10th day of November 2011. All other provisions of the original quarantine, as previously amended, shall remain in full force and effect.   For more information visit www.agr.state.il.us/eab/index.php

The treatment is not 100%, but it may help if a healthy tree is treated with insecticide. Research is still being done on the treatments, as well as the side effects.

What Happens?

May-July is when the adult beetle emerges and the female lays an abundant amount of eggs which hatch into larvae. The larvae then begin to chew the inner bark creating a winding road on the bark as they gnaw, which disrupts the transportation of water and nutrients to the tree.

What are some of the Signs or Symptoms?

• The branches at the top or crown of the ash tree die back
• Shoots will sprout on the trunk and base of the tree
• A vertical split in the tree and noticeable woodpecker damage

How do I know if my county is currently infected?  Visit IllinoisEAB.com to find out more information