The emerald ash borer may be a tiny insect, but its damage can be mighty.
Those who attended a special workshop last week in Anderson learned more about the insect and what homeowners can do to combat the problem.
Lead by Community Forester Jon Skinner of the Missouri Department of Conservation, those on hand learned the small insect attacks and kills ash trees.
The insect was first found near Detroit, Ill., in 2002. The insect was recently discovered in nearly Grove, Okla., and Skinner believes the bug will certainly make its way into local communities. It is believed that the bug buries itself on ash firewood and was brought into downtown Grove from a neighboring campground.
Natural flight distribution is only a few miles a year.
The insect does the most damage during the larvae stage, when it burrows into trees, feeds on the inner bark of the ash tree and cuts off the tree's ability to transport water.
EAB adults are generally seen from mid-May through July. Symptoms include trees dying from the top down, so sparse leaves or branches will begin to die in the upper part of the tree; increased woodpecker activity and damage on the tree; winding, S-shaped tunnels just under the bark; D-shaped exit holes about an eighth of an inch wide; and new sprouts on the branches and lower trunk.
So what can you do to deal with the pesky pests? It's important that homeowners are able to properly identify ash trees so he or she can take precaution. Homeowners should make sure they are treating an ash tree, not another tree species, and learn more about other options with additional research.
Pesticides can be applied. Skinner recommends hiring an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist who has the appropriate Missouri pesticide applicators license.
Additionally, campers and homeowners should not take ash products or any hardwood firewood from a quarantined area.
For more information, visit the Missouri EAB site: http://extension.missouri.edu/treepests/emeraldashborer.aspx
General News on 02/16/2017