The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle from Asia that was discovered in southeastern Michigan in 2002. It attacks ash trees by feeding on the inner bark of the tree and disrupting its ability to transport water and nutrients to its branches. In Michigan, the EAB is known to attack green, white or black ash trees; it does not attack mountain ash. It will eventually kill the tree within 2 years of when symptoms are first observed.

Infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer can be difficult to detect until tree canopy die-back occurs; usually the upper third of a tree will thin and die back. This is usually followed by numerous new branches sprouting below the affected portions of the trunk. Visual evidence of the infestation includes D-Shaped Holes on the tree's trunk and S-Shaped Larval Feeding Tunnels under the bark. There may also be vertical splits in the bark where larval feeding has occurred.

It is estimated that over ten million trees in Southeastern Michigan have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer. In an attempt to control the spread of the infestation, a quarantine has been issued by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to make it illegal to move Ash trees, branches, lumber or firewood out of the 20 quarantined counties and 7 outlined sites.

Michigan has an active Emerald Ash Borer task force working to control the EAB and minimize its damages.

For more information, visit the Emerald Ash Borer page on the Michigan Department of Agriculture website, or www.emeraldashborer.info or contact your regional MDA, DNR or local MSU Extension office.

View the Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Area Map

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