Despite bone chilling temperatures this winter, courtesy of the Polar Vortex, you would think that would be enough to wipe out one of the most invasive tree pests, the Emerald Ash Borer, a.k.a, EAB. But you'd be wrong. This single insect has been the demise of millions of North American Ash trees and their destructive reign continues. In this guest post, Dr. Dave Coyle, assistant professor at Clemson University, shares his insights on the EAB and how to deal with it. He was also a guest on the Green Industry Leaders Network podcast, Blurring the Tree Lines, discussing tree stress and pests like EAB, in urban, suburban and forest trees.
Where did EAB Come From?
Who would have thought that a little green beetle – not even an inch long – would cause billions of dollars in damage and lead to the death of millions of trees on this continent? I mean, sure, it was always a possibility, but we’re currently living though one of the worst invasive species issues in our lifetime.
The emerald ash borer, (EAB for short, Fig. 1) was first discovered in 2002, but probably arrived in the late 1990, near Detroit, MI. It is now present in most of eastern North America (current distribution map) from APHIS. The larvae or young of this beetle, feed on the phloem of ash trees (genus Fraxinus), and their feeding nearly always results in tree death. Oh, and not just one type of ash tree – all of them: white, green, blue, pumpkin…if it’s a Fraxinusspecies, it’s susceptible to EAB.
Figure 1. EAB adult. Photo by Matt Bertone, NC State University.
How do I know if my Ash tree has EAB?
If the tree starts declining, or losing foliage and branches, or has a sudden increase in woodpecker populations, they’re there trying to find and eat the EAB larvae, and often cause “ash blonding” (Fig. 2), your ash tree may have EAB.
Figure 2. Ash blonding. Photo by David Coyle, Clemson University
It’s important to inspect your tree and look for little D-shaped holes (Fig. 3) – this is where the adults leave the tree once they’re fully developed.
Figure 3. D-shaped holes made when EAB adults leave the tree. Photo by David Coyle
Can I save my tree if it has EAB?
Well that depends…if most of the crown still looks healthy, then probably. There are many chemical treatments that work great to both prevent and treat EAB once a tree is infested. There are biocontrol agents (other bugs that eat EAB), but these won’t usually save an individual tree – they’re good for keeping overall populations in check, and are most often used in natural areas. It is important to note that in nearly all situations, treating a tree is cheaper than removing and replacing it. And, trees provide many benefits. The National Tree Benefit Calculator is a great resource to see the value of a tree.
The EAB Outlook
It’s difficult to determine exactly how many trees EAB has already killed, but the number is easily in the millions. And, EAB is already present across much of eastern North America. Will it get out West? It’s likely...there’s already a population in Colorado. Remember, by not moving firewood from place to place we can prevent the spread of EAB – this is one of the main ways invasive insects get transported to new places. Our friends at dontmovefirewood.org have a lot of great resources on this topic.
The recent polar vortex had folks wondering if the cold temperatures might kill all the EAB. I hate to burst your bubble (but I’m going to burst your bubble…), but the answer is no. Sure, in some places many EAB larvae likely died, but even this recent cold snap isn’t enough to kill all the EAB. Some died, yes – especially in colder areas like the northern U.S. and Canada. But certainly not all of the EAB died.
Resources About EAB
For the latest resources on EAB, check out http://www.emeraldashborer.info/, a multi-state and multi-agency collaborative, and the great site by Purdue University.
Since 2010, Corona along with its industry partners have hosted tree-related topics via Twitter. Our podcast format gives chat participants an opportunity to hear the chat take place, and then connect live with the host and guests. It's an opportunity to ask questions about the podcast, the general topic discussed or get more information on something that was shared.
Fall is officially here and the time for planting trees before the harsh winter months. Once you've planted your young trees, there are some important things to keep in mind to help them get properly established. On this #treechat, we're discussing tips for getting them starting off right and thriving for many years to come.
Taking care of trees may sound really easy, but there is a technical field of arboriculture behind each one of these living things. Growing trees in different kinds of soils and climates can be challenging to say the least. This week on 
It's the height of the summer season and Americans are flocking to popular destinations for some much needed rest and relaxation. Heading to the beach in search of cooler temperatures or getting back to nature to unplug are just a couple ways to do that. Places like 
Snapchat is quickly becoming one of the hottest social media networks aimed Millenials. It's experiencing explosive growth and active users. Brands are struggling with how to effectively use it. Or asking the question, should they be? If you have ever used Snapchat or wondered if you should be using it, 
It's easy to join the conversation on our 
The root system of a tree performs many vital functions. Roots absorb and transport water and mineral nutrients from the soil to the rest of the tree. Roots anchor the portion of the tree above ground. 
What is your favorite small ornamental tree? and why? Is it a tree native to your area? An esteemed cultivar? Grafted? Dwarf? Topiary? Does it have an upright habit or spreading? How big will it get when mature? 
Imagine that you are out at the job site and you come across the most interesting and bazaar looking creature, inhabiting a tree. Or just heard some breaking industry news that you just need to report and broadcast to the world? A well-written blog post to share the information is a great way to share it. But what if was as easy as taking out your mobile device and instantly broadcast your message? Individuals, businesses and brands are flocking to live mobile broadcasting apps like Meerkat and Periscope and becoming independent broadcasters to the world.