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Unfortunately, many infestation signs look similar to other
stresses ash trees incur. For example, in Canada's eastern
Prairies, an ash tree that is dying from the effects of lecanium
scale feeding and anthracnose disease infection looks very
similar to an ash that is dying from emerald ash borer feeding.
When the borer infests an ash tree, adult beetles feed on
the leaves and the tree crown thins as a result of dying branches.
Feeding and egg-laying areas inside the bark cause vertical
cracks, as the healthy bark and phloem tissues under the bark
die. As the tree grows, it leaves a crack where these beetles'
activities occur. When ash trees are stressed, they produce
long shoots (called epicormic shoots) growing at intervals
on the main trunk bark. Emerald ash borers cause the tree
to produce these shoots just below their feeding and breeding
areas. The exit holes leave a distinctive letter "D"
shape, lying on its straight side. Opening up the bark, one
would see many s-shaped tunnels produced by the pests' larvae.
Cutting down and destroying infested trees as soon as possible
is the only effective means of control. Research into other
solutions using biological and chemical products has been
ongoing for some time.
Editor's Note: For information regarding the removal and disposal
of infested Ash trees, please consult your city or municipality
for guidance.
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the D-shaped exit hole of the emerging emerald ash borer. |
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Emerald ash borer tunnel gallery. |
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