Reminding of a termite, the emerald ash borer (or EABf or short) is a pretty, little metallic-green beetle. Pretty as they are, the effect they have on ash trees aren’t quite as pretty.
First Appearance in New Jersey
Reports show that these tree toxins of insects have been found in Westhampton, New Jersey. First discovered in New Jersey in May of 2014, emerald ash borer infestations have been spreading like wildfire all about the U.S., reaching north into Canada. The aftermath includes the death of tens of millions of ash trees since the beginning of their spread, originating in Michigan in 2002. With all that tree disposal, U.S. and Canadian tree disposal professionals probably have their work cut out for them.
Burlington county’s governing officials have advised their official website provides useful information on recognizing emerald tree borers, reporting them and other helpful information.
What does a Emerald Tree Borer look like?
“Emerald ash borer is a fast-moving, highly destructive, invasive pest, which could lead to the death of ash trees,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher describes. The emerald ash borer may be just half an inch long, but it’s no joke. Officials are responding in any way they can to protect their backyards and trees.
Is any tree safe of these bores?
Emerald tree borers have by now, reached 25 states and two Canadian provinces — all regions with ash trees for these insects to lay their eggs. From the beginning of their young lives–as lavae–emerald treer borers start boring into the bark of the trees in which they hatch. They feed on the tree’s nutrients and depletes the tree of this. This is how ash trees are killed by these parasitic insects. The whole process takes about three to five years.
Protecting Trees from Emerald Ash Borers
In protecting local ash trees from destruction, it would really help if to note the signs of ash borer activity. Gary Johnson, an associate professor of Urban and Community Forestry at the University of Minnesota shared the following tips:
- If you notice increased woodpecker activity. They might be eating them, but it could also be the larvae of other tree-hatching insects.
- Thinning of the top of the tree that continues to the point of barrenness.
- D-shaped holes in the ash tree’s bark about 1/8 of an inch in size.
If you see one or signs of an emerald ash borer’s presence, help save your locales’ trees by contacting the Department of Agriculture at 609-406-6939.
