The Silent Destroyer: How Emerald Ash Borer is Threatening Georgia’s Ash Trees and What You Can Do to Protect Them

Georgia’s beautiful ash trees are under siege from one of North America’s most destructive invasive pests: the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This tiny, metallic-green beetle has already killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across 36 states and five Canadian provinces, and as of 2023, EAB is present in 48 counties in the northern part of Georgia, with its range continuing to expand.

Understanding the Emerald Ash Borer Threat

Native to Asia, this invasive species was first discovered near Detroit, Michigan in 2002, but EAB was discovered in DeKalb and Fulton counties in Georgia in July 2013 as part of a national detection survey. The beetle was likely brought to Georgia through firewood or wood packaging materials, highlighting how human activities can inadvertently spread invasive pests.

What makes EAB so devastating is that ash trees typically die within 3-5 years after being infested. Unlike native beetles that kill weakened trees as part of natural nutrient recycling, emerald ash borers kill both vigorously growing and weakened ash trees. All native ash species are susceptible to infestation, including green, white, pumpkin, blue, and Carolina ash.

How EAB Damages Trees

The damage occurs during the larval stage of the beetle’s lifecycle. Newly-hatched larvae chew through the bark and begin feeding on the inner bark, creating serpentine or “S”-shaped galleries. These EAB galleries damage tree tissues through “girdling,” which limits the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients and ultimately leads to tree death.

Property owners should watch for several warning signs of EAB infestation:

• D-shaped exit holes in the bark, approximately 1/8 inch in diameter
• Canopy thinning and crown dieback, starting with the upper canopy
• S-shaped galleries beneath the bark, approximately 1/8 inch wide and packed with sawdust and insect excrement
• New growth sprouting from the base of the trunk or main branches when trees are stressed

Treatment and Protection Options

The good news is that ash trees can be protected from EAB through several treatment methods. Currently, using insecticides is the primary route to protect individual ash trees from EAB infestations. The most effective treatments include:

Trunk Injection

Trunk injection is one of the most effective methods for combating EAB, involving injecting a systemic insecticide into the tree’s vascular system. When properly administered by a licensed tree care professional, some trunk injections have shown to be 90 percent effective at controlling EAB.

Soil Treatment

Homeowners can protect ash trees with the systemic insecticide imidacloprid, applied to the soil at the base of the tree. It is most effective when applied in spring but can also be applied in fall. This approach involves applying a systemic insecticide to the soil around the tree’s base, which the tree absorbs through its roots and distributes throughout its system.

Bark Spray Applications

Bark spray is a less invasive but effective method, involving applying an insecticide directly to the bark and targeting adult beetles as they emerge.

The Importance of Professional Tree Services

Given the complexity of EAB treatment and the precision required for effective protection, working with professional arborists is crucial. Citizens with ash trees should have a certified arborist check their trees for signs of borer infestations, and suspected infestations should be reported immediately so that foresters or arborists can understand how the infestation is spreading.

For property owners in Cherokee County and surrounding areas, professional tree services Cherokee GA can provide comprehensive EAB assessment, treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring to protect valuable ash trees on residential and commercial properties.

Prevention and Long-term Management

The primary way EAB spreads is by hitching rides on infested ash firewood, logs, and nursery stock, making it important not to move firewood and to buy local firewood instead. Research for long-term management includes EAB biological control involving specialized insect parasites collected from EAB’s native range.

Because most EAB beetles attack stressed or injured trees, maintaining a comprehensive tree and shrub care program is essential, as healthy trees are better able to resist these and other insects.

When Treatment Isn’t Enough

Unfortunately, not all trees can be saved. In cases where EAB infestation is too advanced or the tree’s condition is too compromised, tree removal may be the only viable option to prevent the spread of EAB to surrounding healthy trees. When ash trees are too far gone, removal might be necessary to prevent safety hazards, but replacing removed ash trees with EAB-resistant species is a great way to keep properties green and vibrant.

Taking Action Today

The fight against Emerald Ash Borer requires immediate attention and professional expertise. As one expert noted, “The faster scientists can track the spread of the insect, the faster they can work to stop it” – the same principle applies to individual property owners.

If you have ash trees on your property in Georgia, now is the time to act. Early detection and prompt treatment are your best defenses against this destructive pest. Contact a certified arborist to assess your trees, develop a protection strategy, and implement appropriate treatments before EAB causes irreversible damage to your valuable ash trees.

Remember, in Georgia, ash trees are most common in bottomland hardwood forests where they play important roles in water quality and soil stability, making their protection not just a property concern but an environmental imperative. By taking proactive steps today, you can help preserve Georgia’s ash trees for future generations while protecting your property investment.