Emerald ash borer galleries.

The signs and symptoms of EAB are varied: dieback of the branches in the crown, new branches sprouting from the stem, D-shaped exit holes from the adult insects.  And eah one of these can be caused by something other than EAB.  Correct diagnosis and confirmation of the true cause of problems in ash trees is difficult but it’s critically important – treating for the wrong problem is a waste of time and money.  At the other extreme, missing an opportunity to treat a problem is equally as bad.  The first step in determining if EAB is killing a tree is to confirm that it is actually an ash – http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/f1633.pdf.  For more information on the actual signs and symptoms of EAB, go to: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/pests/e1634.pdf.

EAB is tricky to diagnose for those who are not been trained.  If you think that your ash tree has Emerald ash borer, please contact one of the following people.

Lezlee Johnson, ND Forest Service – lezlee.johnson@ndsu.edu, 701-231-5138

Joe Zeleznik, NDSU Extension Service – joseph.zeleznik@ndsu.edu, 701-231-8143

Charles Elhard, ND Department of Agriculture – celhard@nd.gov, 701-239-7295

Additional information about EAB is available from the ND Department of Agriculture at: https://www.nd.gov/ndda/plant-industries/pest-survey-and-outreach/emerald-ash-borer-eab.  For more information about tree pests such as Dutch elm disease, gypsy moth, and others, please visit the ND Invasives website at: http://www.ndinvasives.org/.