Residential lawn care and Commercial lawn maintenance

What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?

EAB is an invasive beetle that kills ash trees. The adults are one-half inch long, metallic green in color. They live outside the trees during summer, and lay eggs in the bark. The larvae tunnel into the wood and feed on the tree's nutrients, killing the tree over a period of several years.

Tens of millions of ash trees have been killed in 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces since the infestation was first discovered in suburban Michigan in 2002. It most likely came from Asia on board a ship, in wood packing material.

Is Emerald Ash Borer in Minnesota?
In May, 2009, EAB was found in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood in St. Paul and 70 trees were removed.

In February, 2010, infestation was found in several trees in the Prospect Park area in SE Minneapolis, about a mile from the St. Paul infestation. By Spring, 2011, it had spread to South Minneapolis near the Mississippi River.

Why should I care about EAB?
The cost of removing and replacing a single tree can range from hundreds to several thousands of dollars.

All ash trees are susceptible to EAB. Minnesota has 900 million green, white and black ash trees, and one-third of all Twin Cities trees are ash.

What are the symptoms to watch for?

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Dead branches
  • Split bark with larval tunneling
  • "S"-shaped tunneling under bark
  • "D"-shaped adult emergence hole
  • Suckering or epicormic shoots at base

What can I do to keep my ash trees healthy?

Ash trees within 10-15 miles of infected trees should be treated with a pesticide.
University studies have shown that a single-injected application of Emamectin Benzoate at the base of the trunk is very effective and protects trees up to three years. Other pesticides are good for only one year.

The injection method of protection is environmentally-friendly, as the pesticide enters the tree directly instead of covering the surrounding soil.

Call today for a free estimate on emerald ash borer treatment, or for help identifying ash trees on your property.