Emerald Ash Borer: Confirmed in the Carolinas
The emerald ash borer (EAB) has now been confirmed in both North and South Carolina, raising concerns for communities across Mecklenburg County, York County, and surrounding areas. EAB is an invasive wood-boring beetle that has infested and killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America since it was discovered in Michigan in 2002. They damage trees through feeding and burrowing, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients through the tree. As a result, infested trees decline rapidly and succumb to the infestation within just a few years.
While the emerald ash borer dominates headlines, it is not the only beetle threatening ash trees in the Carolinas. Several other wood-boring beetles are known to target ash trees, including the ash bark beetle, the redheaded ash borer, the flatheaded apple tree borer, and the lilac borer. Though these pests are generally considered less destructive than EAB, they can still cause significant damage to weakened or stressed trees. Scheduling routine tree inspections in the spring is an important part of protecting the longevity and health of your ash trees. It’s always best to call a pro before you take action. Did you know there are green stink bugs in North Carolina?
Signs of the Emerald Ash Borer
Common warning signs include:
* Yellowing or thinning canopy
* D-shaped exit holes in the trunk are a telltale sign of boring insects beneath the bark
* Increased woodpecker activity, which can signal the presence of larvae beneath the surface
* Epicormic sprouting — shoots growing from the base of the trunk as the tree attempts to compensate for canopy loss
Protecting Ash Trees in the Charlotte Region
Ash trees are a common sight across the Charlotte area, found in forests, yards, and urban landscapes. There are four native species: white, green, Carolina, and pumpkin ash. The white ash (Fraxinus americana) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) are both commonly found as shade and landscape trees throughout North and South Carolina. Ash trees are also widely planted as ornamental shade trees in neighborhoods across Charlotte and neighboring towns, making the spread of the emerald ash borer a serious concern for communities throughout the region.
Preventative treatment options are available. Taking protective measures before the beetle arrives is the ideal way to save ash trees. The SC Forestry Commission recommends that homeowners with ash trees have them evaluated by an arborist or certified tree professional as soon as possible.
If a tree cannot be saved, removal is strongly advised. Dead ash trees become extremely brittle and will begin dropping branches unpredictably, posing a serious safety risk to nearby structures and people who use the property.
Protect Your Ash Trees Now
Top Line Tree Service provides professional residential and commercial property tree inspections, treatments, and safe tree removal of declining or dead ash trees throughout the region. Contact us for a tree risk assessment.
Don’t Wait.
If you have ash trees in your neighborhood or on your property, take a proactive approach to protect them from invasive pests.
Cover image courtesy of North Central Integrated Pest Management Center