Tree Disease or Emerald Ash Borer?
Have you come across wavy lines on ash trees and wondered how they got there? What causes these lines under tree bark?
This guide will cover important facts about the emerald ash borer, the insect that leaves squiggly lines on trees. We will also look at some signs to help you identify an infestation in your trees.
What Is the Emerald Ash Borer?
An emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a jewel beetle that is approximately one-half inch long, metallic green in color and bullet-shaped. It is native to Northeastern Asia and is responsible for the decline of numerous ash trees in North America. First detected in North America in 2002, the pest spreads from moving around infested ash logs, nursery stock and firewood.
This beetle lays its eggs into the crevices of ash tree bark. Once the larvae hatch, they burrow into and feed on the tree only to emerge as adults. Feeding on the inner tissues of the tree causes severe damage since the tree cannot transport nutrients or water to its canopy. Detecting the presence of emerald ash borers in your trees early can be challenging, given that the deterioration is hidden under the tree bark. People often notice the damage after the tree has already started declining.
Signs and Symptoms
When trying to determine if an emerald ash borer is destroying your tree and not an ash tree disease, there are two specific signs you can look out for, which include:
- S-shaped markings on trees: Emerald ash borer larvae wind back and forth as they feed under the ash tree's bark, creating tunnels or galleries. These galleries are filled with frass and appear in a visible serpentine format.
- D-shaped holes: After the larvae have turned into adult beetles, they emerge from the tree, and their exit points are D-shaped holes. The width of these holes is about one-eighth of an inch.
The following are other general symptoms that indicate the ash trees in your forest have been attacked by emerald ash borers:
- Crown dieback: The lack of necessary water and nutrients in the upper canopy leads to thinning. When this damage continues, the branches begin to die, and the whole tree eventually follows.
- Woodpecker damage: Woodpeckers attack trees that are infested by insect larvae. Woodpecker bronzing or flecking might be an indicator that you have an emerald ash borer problem.
- Epicormic sprouts: When trees are distressed from insect attacks, they begin growing new leaves and branches, mainly on the trunk at the base, to try and restore themselves.
- Bark splits: Callus tissue forms around larval galleries, causing vertical bark splits. You can see the tunnels beneath the ash tree bark when this happens.
Contact Beiler's Sawmill to Sell Your Ash Trees
Do you have a forest of ash trees you're interested in selling? Beiler's Sawmill would like to hear from you. Our forestry team will survey your timber and give you an offer that is worth the value of your ash trees.
Our offers are honest and fair, so you can rest assured you will receive a payment that matches your timber's worth. Contact us today to get started.