The emerald ash borer is a flying beetle that loves the leaves of the ash tree. It's only half an inch long and very destructive! It is also beautiful with its metallic green wings. Its larva prefers to bore sinuous galleries in the wood of the tree.

The insect entered North America in 2002, from Asia. It traveled in ash wood pallets or crates. Now, it has taken up residence in Canada, including Quebec, always camouflaged in anything made of ash: pallets, crates, firewood...

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Did you know that an ash tree infested by this beetle can be ravaged in five years, sometimes in just one? It all depends on the age and height of the tree concerned.

It's kind of strange, the EAB starts at the top and works its way down, over the years. The drilling activity of the larvae, inside, compromises the circulation of the sap, making the specimen malnourished. The whole process takes place in 4 stages.

Stage 1: invisible action (lasts 2 or 3 years).
Stage 2: leaves yellowing prematurely, stripped crown or branches (lasts 1 year).
Stage 3: aggravation of the damage (lasts 1 year).
Stage 4: loss of bark (lasts 1 year)

However, if your tree is half-infested, it must be felled, and this, outside the insect's dispersal period, from mid-March to mid-September. There is no other solution. Our tree service company will guide you through this difficult step.​

Know how to identify the presence of the emerald ash borer

The larva operates quietly for a few years. Then the signs appear; first at the top and gradually downwards. One of the clues is the 4 mm exit holes and their characteristic capital "D" shape, because the bug has a flat belly and rounded back. The loss of bark also helps to suspect the insect. Squirrels and woodpeckers are responsible for this, to gorge themselves on the larvae. Other signs are perforated leaves, oozing sap, shoots on the trunk near the ground, abundant samaras because the tree is under stress... These signs can resemble damage done by other insects or animals and even by the weather.
 
It is therefore advisable to contact experts who will be able to identify whether the cause is the emerald ash borer or another one. It is essential to call us early on, even when there are no signs if you have ash trees.
 
Our professionals at Emondage Montreal can perform a free examination of your trees and provide you with a quote, no matter what tree care service you actually need. Just call 514-900-1130.

Early detection of the emerald ash borer

The key is to act early, we can never recommend it enough. However, there is a specialized protocol to be applied when the larva is mature; that is to say in autumn or winter. Why is this? Because its size is then maximal, the bug is more easily detectable. The steps consist in selecting a branch according to specific criteria, then debarking it before examining it. However, it is best to leave this task to professionals, who know how to do it for optimal guarantees of being able to eradicate the insect from the specimen if it is possible. When a felling is done, it is essential to also carry out a grubbing of the infested trees. Also, call us, Emondage Montreal, at 514-900-1130 for an accurate detection and a complete intervention.

Preventing rather than curing

What is the best way to avoid EAB? You guessed it: no ash trees at all! But you or the previous owner may have gotten some before they knew about the horrible bug. One solution is to plant other varieties of trees to increase biodiversity, which is a recognized resilience factor.
 
Another item that is at risk even if your ash trees are not yet affected is your firewood, which may contain ash logs. In this case, sourcing locally is the way to reduce your chances of getting them.
 
In fact, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for regulations regarding the transportation of ash wood from infested areas to non-infested areas. This transportation is not prohibited but is subject to restrictive conditions. The same applies to the vehicles used for this purpose. Everything that is transported is also concerned if it is made of ash wood: the trees themselves, raw wood, bark, chips or logs, crates, pallets, packaging materials...

Whether it is for the emerald ash borer or for any other pest or disease that attacks your large plants, Emondage Montreal can help you. Fill out the form on this page or call us at 514-900-1130. We will provide you with useful advice.
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