Emerald Ash BorerWhat is an emeral ash borer? Sounds like a bird name, doesn't it? But it's not, although it is winged in the last stage of their life. It is an insect. Quite beautiful, by the way, as its half-inch long body is a lovely green with metallic highlights. Some floor surfaces could even be inspired by it. But the beetle is actually not very friendly to a homeowner who has ash trees on his property, because the EAB in its larval stage damages the inner wood of these trees by boring into the cambium and when it matures, it nibbles on its foliage. In short, it is a devastating insect.
Let's do a little history. Yeah, even bugs have their own, you know. The horrible little pest lived in Asia until recently. Then one day, he got the idea to go to North America. In 2002 to be precise, as a stowaway in anything made of ash wood. It could be pallets, crates... as long as it crossed the ocean. He seemed to like Canada, because he stayed, in Quebec too. It was a shame. In the interior of the country too, it is the clandestinity in ash wood that allows him to move. More pallets, crates... firewood too, when the cords contain his favorite wood. |
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Being aware of this fact allows us to be on the lookout: if there is anything in the ash tree's essence, the emerald ash borer is likely to be there!
Consequences for ash
What can a white wood-boring larva do to big, majestic behemoths like ash trees?
In fact, the larva is quite pernicious because it can be busy for quite a long time before you are aware of its presence. Then, suddenly, it is too late: the attack is so important that the plant is headed for a quick and inevitable death.
Very structured, this pest divides its attack into four periods. The whole can be spread over about five years, but sometimes the decimation is completed in as little as one year.
The first stage occurs in secret for two or three years, while the larvae live inside the wood of the tree. Then, visual clues come into play, in a gradual way. The beetle also has an artistic side, we must believe, because it proceeds from the top to the bottom, which makes it possible to detect its presence, since this pattern is its own.
After another year or so, stage two appears with the first signs of visible damage. You can feel that the top is less full and the leaves have turned somewhat yellow. The third stage is a worsening of the visible signs: suckers start to grow on the trunk and the tops are heading towards a complete balding. Moreover, the last stage is marked by an overgrowth of suckers and a severe peeling of the bark.
So, if it is not already the case, the tree will end its life very soon. In any case, nothing more can be done for it: this tree will have to be cut down. But in fact an ash tree that is half attacked could already be cut down. However, this measure should not be carried out during the propagation months, from March to September. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to go as far as stump removal.
How can such devastation occur? The fatal element is probably the digging of galleries, because little by little, the circulation of the sap is compromised. The worst part is that this insect has no natural predator in North America, which makes it difficult to control, since nothing stops its reproduction.
In fact, the larva is quite pernicious because it can be busy for quite a long time before you are aware of its presence. Then, suddenly, it is too late: the attack is so important that the plant is headed for a quick and inevitable death.
Very structured, this pest divides its attack into four periods. The whole can be spread over about five years, but sometimes the decimation is completed in as little as one year.
The first stage occurs in secret for two or three years, while the larvae live inside the wood of the tree. Then, visual clues come into play, in a gradual way. The beetle also has an artistic side, we must believe, because it proceeds from the top to the bottom, which makes it possible to detect its presence, since this pattern is its own.
After another year or so, stage two appears with the first signs of visible damage. You can feel that the top is less full and the leaves have turned somewhat yellow. The third stage is a worsening of the visible signs: suckers start to grow on the trunk and the tops are heading towards a complete balding. Moreover, the last stage is marked by an overgrowth of suckers and a severe peeling of the bark.
So, if it is not already the case, the tree will end its life very soon. In any case, nothing more can be done for it: this tree will have to be cut down. But in fact an ash tree that is half attacked could already be cut down. However, this measure should not be carried out during the propagation months, from March to September. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to go as far as stump removal.
How can such devastation occur? The fatal element is probably the digging of galleries, because little by little, the circulation of the sap is compromised. The worst part is that this insect has no natural predator in North America, which makes it difficult to control, since nothing stops its reproduction.
What evidence is there that the EAB is active?
Well, the little bugs don't eat the big ones, so you might as well take care of the situation yourself, you might think!
Again, things that are not obvious at first glance are very important. For remedies to be effective, it is important to know the various tree diseases, to distinguish them from insect damage, to know which insect leaves what evidence of its presence, and most importantly, which remedy to associate with which picture. Our experts are well aware of all this.
In particular, when the sworn enemy is an emerald ash borer, it is better to act quickly. Also, its presence must be discerned as soon as possible. This implies knowing how to read the signs left in the tree, while they are still hidden to those who are not used to seeing them. Moreover, they are very difficult to separate from inconsequential signs. In other words, they may well go unnoticed.
Our specialists are particularly sensitive to signs that are mostly located at the top of the head, at first. Certain cracks or sap flows, bark that is missing in places or whose color has changed, these are all details that will put them on the spot (no pun intended!). But why, of course, is the bark peeling off? Nothing magical. Squirrels eat these larvae and woodpeckers pierce the bark with their beaks to dislodge them. The holes they make are therefore an additional clue to detect. Another important sign that has not yet been mentioned is that the poor stressed ash tree starts to produce samaras in abundance, as do many other trees in situations that are stressful for them.
Let's not forget the internal larval damage due to the galleries dug. These look like streamers. But how do these little bugs get out of this wooden prison? They are drills, aren't they? So they simply make exit holes, the circumference of which is about 4 mm. Their shape is a characteristic capital "D", caused by their rounded abdomen and flat back.
So, turn to our experts at Emondage Trois-Rivieres Pro, as soon as you have any doubts. To do so, call 819-801-1247. We will be happy to be your trusted partner and offer you useful advice, including for all your tree care services.
Again, things that are not obvious at first glance are very important. For remedies to be effective, it is important to know the various tree diseases, to distinguish them from insect damage, to know which insect leaves what evidence of its presence, and most importantly, which remedy to associate with which picture. Our experts are well aware of all this.
In particular, when the sworn enemy is an emerald ash borer, it is better to act quickly. Also, its presence must be discerned as soon as possible. This implies knowing how to read the signs left in the tree, while they are still hidden to those who are not used to seeing them. Moreover, they are very difficult to separate from inconsequential signs. In other words, they may well go unnoticed.
Our specialists are particularly sensitive to signs that are mostly located at the top of the head, at first. Certain cracks or sap flows, bark that is missing in places or whose color has changed, these are all details that will put them on the spot (no pun intended!). But why, of course, is the bark peeling off? Nothing magical. Squirrels eat these larvae and woodpeckers pierce the bark with their beaks to dislodge them. The holes they make are therefore an additional clue to detect. Another important sign that has not yet been mentioned is that the poor stressed ash tree starts to produce samaras in abundance, as do many other trees in situations that are stressful for them.
Let's not forget the internal larval damage due to the galleries dug. These look like streamers. But how do these little bugs get out of this wooden prison? They are drills, aren't they? So they simply make exit holes, the circumference of which is about 4 mm. Their shape is a characteristic capital "D", caused by their rounded abdomen and flat back.
So, turn to our experts at Emondage Trois-Rivieres Pro, as soon as you have any doubts. To do so, call 819-801-1247. We will be happy to be your trusted partner and offer you useful advice, including for all your tree care services.
Early detection of infestation
Faced with such a strategic enemy, a technical protocol has been developed. Its objective is the early detection of the larva. It proceeds in two steps:
1. A branch is selected. It must have specific properties.
2. The bark is removed from the branch. Why is this done? To check if the larva is present underneath. Ideally, the protocol should be applied during the fall or winter seasons, when the larva is at its largest.
As simple as this technique may seem to you, the fact remains that the diagnosis has the best chance of being accurate when experts are assessing the situation.
1. A branch is selected. It must have specific properties.
2. The bark is removed from the branch. Why is this done? To check if the larva is present underneath. Ideally, the protocol should be applied during the fall or winter seasons, when the larva is at its largest.
As simple as this technique may seem to you, the fact remains that the diagnosis has the best chance of being accurate when experts are assessing the situation.
Prevent
The most effective precautionary measure, you may have guessed, is to avoid purchasing ash trees. But you may already have ash trees on your property, either from the time you developed or from the time you purchased them before you knew about EAB. If so, what can you do?
A first tip is to give your ash trees friends from a variety of trees, because biodiversity means better resistance to disease and insect pests.
But don't think you're safe if there are no ash trees growing on your property. This is because this pest can settle in your firewood. To avoid this eventuality as much as possible, it is advisable to buy locally.
In fact, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been mandated to enforce the current regulations regarding the transportation of ash. This is nothing more or less than controlling inter-regional transportation. The idea is to prevent movement from infested areas to areas that are not yet infested. The regulation sets out conditions for transportation. What are the limitations? First of all, obviously, the ash trees themselves, then anything made of this species: bark or raw wood; and products: pallets, logs, packaging, chips... Even transport vehicles must take precautions.
A first tip is to give your ash trees friends from a variety of trees, because biodiversity means better resistance to disease and insect pests.
But don't think you're safe if there are no ash trees growing on your property. This is because this pest can settle in your firewood. To avoid this eventuality as much as possible, it is advisable to buy locally.
In fact, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been mandated to enforce the current regulations regarding the transportation of ash. This is nothing more or less than controlling inter-regional transportation. The idea is to prevent movement from infested areas to areas that are not yet infested. The regulation sets out conditions for transportation. What are the limitations? First of all, obviously, the ash trees themselves, then anything made of this species: bark or raw wood; and products: pallets, logs, packaging, chips... Even transport vehicles must take precautions.
Detection of diseases and invaders
It goes without saying that the emerald ash borer is not the only pest that attacks trees and that there are also diseases. At Emondage Trois-Rivières Pro, we would be happy to put our experience at your disposal in detecting this type of problem. Simply fill out our form on this page or call 819-801-1247. You can also ask us about our other tree care services. tree cabling
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