Articles Related to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

September 15, 2020
Revised March 23, 2023

Dangers of EAB-Damaged Trees

The insect Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been identified close to North Dakota: in Sioux Falls, SD, Fergus Falls, MN, Winnipeg, MB and now in Moorhead, MN.  Its march across the US since its discovery in Michigan ash trees in 2002 has been unstoppable in forests, woodlots and in both large and small cities.

The EAB insect is really hard to detect when it first arrives.  It lays eggs in cracks and under bark anywhere on the tree. The eggs hatch into tiny worms in a few weeks and then tunnel through the bark so that they can eat the living tissue underneath. As the worms eat the inner bark, they eventually cut off water and nutrients, and the tree will start to decline and die. When EAB eventually becomes present in large numbers, it takes just five years to kill large trees in large numbers.

• Ash trees with EAB become a danger even before they are dead. Unlike other trees, they dry out quickly and develop cracks inside the trunks and branches. These cracks are hidden from view. Large limbs or whole trees have been known to fall on a calm day.
• Studies show that ash trees become unsound at just 30% canopy loss. Delaying removal allows the tree to become more brittle and prone to falling. Removal of ash trees killed by EAB is very unsafe, even for professionals.  Dead or partially dead ash trees are very dangerous to houses and anything near them, including people.

To help identify your ash trees, please use the City website www.carringtonnd.com, and find the tree board information under Government/Tree Board. Call or visit city offices to inquire about licensed tree removal experts: (701) 652-2911.

Please see the attached below for all of the Articles Related to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB):