Emerald Ash Borer

EAB tree tagged

Some of our public tree are being treated for Emerald Ash Borer! About 32 public ash trees received their first dose of treatment in 2022 and 27 public ash trees are scheduled to receive their first dose of treatment in 2023. Trees selected for treatment this spring have been flagged with white ribbon. 

Injection treatment is a critical piece of the City’s EAB management plan. Emamectin benzoate is injected into the trunk of the tree, which systemically targets the beetle larvae.  This treatment method poses very little environmental risk! Direct injection prevents soil leaching. Ash trees use the wind for pollination, which means that no beneficial insects are affected inadvertently. Trees selected for treatment will be protected as long as they remain viable.

EAB patterns in ash treesWhat is EAB?

The EAB is a small invasive green beetle that infests and kills all American Ash trees. The larvae of these shiny green beetles tunnel beneath the bark of ash trees and gnaws away at the living tissue of ash trees until the tree eventually dies, usually 2 to 4 years after being infected.

Click here to learn more