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Emerald Ash Borer

ASH TREE REMOVAL SPECIALISTS - METRO TREE & CRANE

The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that has devastated millions of ash trees across the eastern half of the U.S. and southeastern Canada. Originally from eastern Asia, the emerald ash borer infests and kills both weak and healthy ash trees, making all ash species native to North America vulnerable to its attack. With over 1 billion ash trees in Minnesota alone, the spread of the emerald ash borer has already significantly impacted our forests and communities, and this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Once an ash tree shows clear signs of infestation, ash tree removal is often the safest course of action to prevent falling branches or total tree failure. Dead ash trees can become severely brittle and unpredictable, especially during storms or high winds.

If you notice your ash tree is declining, early removal through professional tree care services can help prevent emergency situations and reduce overall removal costs.

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Identification and Life Cycle

Most of the emerald ash borer life cycle occurs beneath the bark of ash trees. Woodpeckers readily probe for larvae feeding under the bark, often revealing infested trees during the winter months. These ash trees become covered in light-colored 'flecking' as woodpeckers remove the outer bark.

The feeding tunnels, known as galleries, created by the emerald ash borer larvae are twisty and very characteristic. Eventually, this feeding cuts off the food supply to the roots, leading to thinning and dieback in the tree canopy. These symptoms may not appear until more than four years after the initial infestation.

Ultimately, infested ash trees succumb to the emerald ash borer. This process typically takes five or more years in central and southern Minnesota, and it may take even longer in northern Minnesota.

Emerging adult beetles create distinctive 1/8-inch-wide, D-shaped exit holes, which can help confirm the presence of infested ash trees. However, because these holes are small and often located high in the tree, they can be challenging to locate. For effective ash tree removal, it's crucial to identify these signs early, and utilizing professional tree care services can help manage the situation.

Management Program

Once an ash tree is infested with the emerald ash borer, it has almost zero chance of survival unless treated in time. EAB populations can grow exponentially each year due to the beetle having few natural predators and our ash trees possessing limited natural defenses. When EAB is not managed, the annual deaths of ash trees can quickly overwhelm the capacity for effective ash tree removal and disposal of dead or dying trees.

Ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer often become brittle and unstable, making them dangerous to climb or leave standing. Metro Tree and Crane specializes in controlled ash tree removal, particularly for large trees situated close to homes, garages, fences, and power lines.

Ash tree owners must decide whether to protect or remove their trees. Infested ash trees rarely exhibit signs of light to moderate EAB attack, making early diagnosis challenging. By the time symptoms become evident, it may be too late to protect or save the tree.

The removal of dead, diseased, and dying trees on private property falls under the responsibility of the property owner, highlighting the importance of proactive tree care services.

Ash Tree Removal

Metro Tree and Crane specializes in professional ash tree removal for homeowners facing issues with diseased, dying, or hazardous ash trees. In Minnesota and the north metro suburbs, many ash trees have been severely impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), resulting in numerous properties having weakened trees that can quickly pose safety risks. Our skilled crew, equipped with cranes, ensures that ash tree removal is conducted safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your yard.

If you notice a declining ash tree or suspect damage from the Emerald Ash Borer, we provide thorough inspections and free estimates for our tree care services, including removal.