Invasive Emerald Ash Borer FAQ
Your Ash Tree vs. the Emerald Ash Borer
The Ash tree is native to eastern North America and is commonly found in Massachusetts, both in forests and urban environments. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer now has been detected in 239 communities including several in Essex County.
Do you have Ash trees on your property?
Look for these three characteristics:
- Ash trees have compound leaves, each leaf has between 5 and 11 toothed oval leaflets paired along the leaf stem, with the top leaflet pointing upward.
- The bark of mature Ash trees has a diamond shaped pattern. Note however that young trees' bark is smooth.
- Ash tree branches grow directly across from (opposite) each other.
What is the Emerald Ash Borer?
The adult emerald ash borer is a dark green metallic colored beetle about 1/2-inch long. It emerges in May and June. It's larvae feed on the tree tissue beneath the bark and can cause considerable damage to the tree. The insect can be present in your tree for three to five years before significant signs of infestation appear. If your tree is infested, you may see D-shaped exit holes in the bark, tunnels under the bark where larvae have fed, dieback of the upper part of the tree canopy, and sprouting at the tree base. Ultimately, the ash borer will kill 99% of the Ash trees it infests.
If you do identify the ash borer on your property, you should report it on the Emerald Ash Borer Reporting Form at the Massachusetts Natural Resources Collaborations website.
What can you do to protect your Ash tree?
Insecticide products are expensive and need to be reapplied regularly. They can be less effective for larger trees and for trees that already have been infested. Consider a professional arborist.
What should you do with the wood if you take down an infected Ash tree?
Do not transport infected wood outside the immediate site, to stop the spread. A tree company can remove the wood or turn the wood into mulch that you can use in your yard. If you have a fireplace, you can also burn the Ash wood. Remember to keep the Ash tree wood as close to the original location as possible.