Nebraska Extension warns about EAB impacting Ash trees

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The Nebraska Extension office is still warning about Emerald Ash Borer also known as EAB, saying it remains an issue in Nebraska.

Entomologist Jody Green said they have been warning about EAB for years – and we need to start thinking about how to manage the pest.

Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive pest and destructive wood boring beetle and can be spread through the movement of infested ash nursery stock, ash firewood, and other ash material.

Symptoms include canopy thinning and branch dieback, usually beginning in the top of the tree, sprouting from the base of the tree, bark splitting, zigzag tunnels under the bark, D-shaped exit holes 1/8-inch across and bark stripping from woodpecker activity.

"If you see parts of a tree that are growing out of the trunk or weird places, that's usually the sign that there's something wrong with the tree. It's not very healthy and the canopy that's usually covered in leaves may be patchy. We only see that in the summer times. In the winter all the leaves are gone so we can't tell," Green said.

She recommends getting those trees treated and said treatments should be considered generally only if EAB has been detected within 15 miles of your location and if the trees are in good health and in a good location in the landscape.

If your tree has EAB-like symptoms, such as canopy thinning, branch dieback or D-shaped exit holes, have a certified arborist examine the tree.

She said it's best to get it treated sooner than later, as they can become a major problem.

"I would say it's definitely a threat to the ecosystem because when trees die it will affect the wildlife, it will affect how much shade you have or not in that area. That may bring in other pests. It will affect that landscape," Green said.