Two springs ago, my husband and I were concerned to find a fallen tree branch in the backyard after an overnight storm. While, luckily, it didn’t damage our house or the power lines around it when it came down, it does highlight a bigger problem that we will soon have to deal with.
As it turns out, it wasn’t the weather that toppled a large portion of our giant ash tree. (Well, the gust of wind might have been the final straw.) What hurt was something else entirely. The contractor we hired to remove the debris took one look at the tree and suggested we inspect it for emerald ash borers.
What are Emerald Ash Borers?
I had heard that the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) was becoming a problem in Minnesota, but I had no idea how close to home it had spread. The jewel-toned beetle is native to Asia and was first spotted in North America in 2002. It has since been found in 37 states. United States Department of Agriculture.
What makes EAB so troublesome is that it kills ash trees, in particular, which are abundant in forests and neighborhoods in the eastern part of the US, and signs of infestation are difficult to recognize.
My backyard was home to three of the estimated 8 billion ash trees in the country. they ShadedPrivacy, wildlife habitat, and more. It was gut-wrenching to learn they had to go after an arborist showed telltale signs of EAB. My trees had thin canopies, epicormic shoots and blonding.
“EAB larvae kill all species of ash trees native to North America by tunneling through the phloem and cambium layers under the outer bark to feed on living tissue, disrupting the tree’s nutrient and water flow,” says Troy Holcomb, with Forester Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“Ash trees with very low or early levels of infestation will show little or no symptoms,” says Holcomb. Unfortunately, he adds, “By the time Notable signs Apparently, the tree is already too infected to save.” Such was the case for my backyard ash trees.
Signs of Emerald Ash Borers
Looking back now, I wish we had been more proactive in monitoring our ash trees. The most obvious signs of EAB include:
- Increase in woodpecker activity. “They will strip away the outer bark to get to the larvae, causing the upper branches and stems to appear lighter in color,” says Holcomb. This is often referred to as blonding.
- D-shaped holes. Not to be confused with the woodpecker’s quarter-sized holes, these tiny ⅛-inch holes have a distinctive D shape through which the adult beetles emerge from the bark.
- Serpentine Galleries. To see this sign of emerald ash borers, you have to peel back the outer bark. The marks look like shallow tunnels weaving around the tender wood.
- Thin canopy. When an EAB infestation takes hold, it is only a matter of time before the tree begins to die. Upper branches usually go first.
- of epicormic shoots. As a survival mechanism, ash trees under stress from emerald ash borers will send down new shoots on the trunk.
EAB is stopping
“Once an ash tree is infected with EAB, it dies very quickly,” says Holcomb. One way homeowners can help slow the spread of pests invasive species To proactively remove ash trees on your property.
“The cost of tree removal will increase after the trees die because the wood becomes more brittle and unpredictable, requiring more specialized, expensive removal methods,” explains Holcomb.
The only other option for preventing emerald ash borers is to use insecticides. “If a homeowner wants to save their tree, it’s best to start treating it before it becomes infected.” The most effective method, Holcomb explains, is to inject a restricted-use insecticide directly into the trunk, which requires special equipment and must be applied every other spring by a licensed or certified professional.
“Often, the cost of Treatment of a tree That could be less than the cost of removal, Holcomb says. But there are drawbacks to consider. He explains that because the insecticide works systemically (it spreads throughout the tree), there is a chance it could harm non-target insects and birds. “It’s up to the individual to decide if the ash outweighs the benefits of saving the tree.”
My trees were too far gone to save, so the decision to remove them was easy. Additionally, I live in an area that is home to many different species of woodpeckers and the thought of potentially harming them with pesticides—especially when they are one of our pioneers. Natural defenses against invasive EAB– took that option off the table for me.
Remove my trees
The next step was to figure out how to safely remove the trees and How much will it cost?. We asked for estimates from three different companies, all of which totaled around $5,000. It’s no small expense, but we make sure to hire licensed, registered and insured tree trimmers to do the job. My homeowner’s insurance, like most in the US, does not cover tree removal. And my family does not qualify for some of the financial assistance available to people who meet certain socioeconomic criteria to remove and replace the many trees in my community that have been killed by emerald ash borers.
On the day of removal, a small crew arrived with a cherry picker and methodically dismantled it Dead trees Work carefully around power lines, from top to bottom. It was a little surreal to see trees that had stood in our backyard for years disappear in a matter of hours. Crews also hauled away and properly disposed of the infested wood. “It’s important not to move wood long distances because it can transport EAB larvae or beetles,” Holcomb says, adding, “Wood should be disposed of at a nearby, local compost or landfill dump site.” We chose to keep the stump below ground level so we could fully reclaim the space.
Reimagining My Backyard Sense Shed
Losing all this shade at once completely changed the feel of my backyard – but it also created an unexpected opportunity. With full sun now reaching the ground, my husband and I decided to build something we’ve always wanted: a big vegetable garden.
We mapped out a large plot, removed the sod and installed an attractive fence with a gate. What was once a shady retreat is now a productive, sunny space where we grow our own food and spend more time outdoors.
That said, we still miss out A cooling canopy Those trees are provided once, and replanting is definitely part of the plan. While ash trees are no longer an option, there are plenty Native species Choose from those that are unaffected by EAB and can restore beauty, habitat and shade over time. This experience has made me more thoughtful about what and why we plant, prioritizing diversity and resilience so that our landscape is better prepared for whatever comes next.
Meet the tools of the year 2025
