Save your ash trees and ornamental trees from the emerald ash borer (EAB)

What is an emerald ash borer? The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a metallic green beetle that bores into ash trees. These invasive insects feed on the tissues beneath the bark, which ultimately kills the tree.

Where are EAB located? The EAB has already killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America and, according to the North Carolina Forest Service, has been detected in counties throughout North Carolina. It’s time to get serious about protecting your ash tree.

Emerald ash borer protection and treatment options for your ash trees

There are a variety of treatment options that can control EAB, but they are not a cure for the disease once your ash tree has been infested.

Insecticides are available to protect high-value ornamental trees. This is recommended when the beetle is known to be within 15 miles of the tree. If your tree is already infested and over half the crown is still alive, insecticides may be used therapeutically, with annual or biannual retreatment, to help trees recover.

Unfortunately, within two years of observing symptoms, most of the crown of the ash tree will be dead. Complete tree death typically occurs within five years but may occur sooner.

Do you want to save your Carolina ash tree?

Some homeowners seek to protect their ash trees while others would prefer to plant a new tree species. If you’re unsure, you may want to start by having an ISA-certified arborist from Carolina Tree Care conduct an inventory of your ash trees. How many do you have and where are they? Are they enhancing your landscape and valuable to you? Do they appear to be healthy? Are they worth saving or should some be cut down? Depending on your property, you may save money if you remove unwanted ash trees before they die.

Headquartered in Concord, NC, we proudly protect trees from Emerald Ash Borer and other insect-related diseases across the Charlotte metropolitan area — and we’re ready to work with you.