Identifying Emerald Ash Borer

Learn more about the signs and symptoms associated with the invasive emerald ash borer. Created by Ryan Bohannon, Graduate Research Assistant.
Discover more information from NC State Extension on the web at extension.ncsu.edu.

[@JenelleD12]

I’m in New Jersey but this video perfectly nailed every symptom I’ve seen in a tree within our apartment complex. Plan on ringing the alarm tomorrow. Shocked to learn about this invasive pest!

[@kennethsizer6217]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@hamburger512]

Great video thank you

[@traxplays6780]

The fact it was first found in Michigan in 2002 and it’s still destroying trees to this day is insane

[@chopsddy3]

Well done. Nailed it. It seems to me that they’re not interested in the trees until the bark begins to thicken. I love ash branches. They make great walking sticks, country style chairs, tool and knife handles and can even be made to look like antler or bone. I’ve been experimenting with pollarding them on my property to harvest branches and to keep them from disappearing. At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll ever see healthy full sized trees again. I’ve got some of the pollards that have developed mature bark and they’re definitely infected. I’m going to cut them down to ground level and hope for the best. Dang bugs.

[@jackychandler8594]

Sir, they aren't just killing large trees, here in Iowa they are killing EVERY ash tree in site. All ash trees are being destroyed. Nothing is being spared by these beetles. Nothing.

[@mistervacation23]

These things were all over my trees. So I sprayed them with herbicide like it said in the Department of Agriculture pamphlet and it killed all my damn trees !

[@packard5682]

Are you sure that the pamphlet said 'herbicide'? Herbicides kill plants! Re-read the pamphlet and it probably said Pesticide which kills insects.

[@666Malbojia]

It’s here in western Massachusetts now. All my ash trees are infected

[@chopsddy3]

I’m in Pennsylvania. Same here. Dang bugs.

[@d.4tay549]

I am currently treating 3 ash tress in my backyard. It is suggested to cut any dead limbs from the tree and burn them. My question is: Should the epicormic shoots be trimmed off as well? Thanks

[@devmeistersuperprecision4155]

What can we do with chemical warfare? What pesticides do we have available?

[@jackychandler8594]

I live in far west central Iowa next to the Missouri River. I've camped all over the U.S and for past 15 yrs campsites over Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska have had signs requiring NO firewood be brought in from anywhere outside the immediate area in an attempt to Stop the E.A.B from getting here. Well,,,,, it didn't work. Western Iowa has thousands upon thousands of ash trees dead this year from them. I mean thousands. They are here, and there is no stopping them. It's too late.

[@mangos2888]

Son of a b, I saw a neighbor's tree last year that showed these symptoms - the trees just didn't look healthy at all. Now this year my front tree has these symptoms. Damn, and I have 3 mature ash trees 😢😢😢

[@MTHU0080]

Is there anything wrong epicormic shoots?

[@geodaites]

Structurally speaking they are very weak and may not be ideal to have as they grow larger. Since they typically grow upwards and have a very acute branch angle, they are more prone to splitting off the tree because of the included bark they develop. If it's out in the middle of the woods, no big deal. If its the tree you park your car under every day, then it might matter a bit more to you.

[@mikedimaio1237]

Yup, just lost my 60 yo Ash because of them.

[@jeremiahkane9923]

It sucks how many trees are getting wiped out. Seems like 50% are going. Should be a national emergency.