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Emerald ash borer (commonly referred to as EAB) is an insect that was introduced to North America in the 1990s (native to Asia). Due to the millions of ash trees that EAB has killed, it is now considered the most destructive tree insect pest in North America according to the Colorado State Forest Service.

Specifically in Colorado, EAB has been confirmed in Boulder and the surrounding cities including Longmont, Lyons, Lafayette, Superior, Broomfield, Erie, Westminster and Thornton. EAB has also been confirmed in Arvada and in June of 2023 detected in both Littleton and Carbondale, Colorado.

One way to help protect your ash tree is with an EAB injection. Continue reading for a breakdown of what you need to know about EAB injections:

WHAT THEY DO

An injection of a targeted pesticide into the base of the trunk of a tree can provide up to two years of protection from pests. In the case of ash trees, the injections can protect your tree from Emerald ash borer (EAB) and Lilac ash borer. The vascular system of the tree pulls the pesticide up the tree into the canopy and causes any larvae that consume the treated tissue to die.

WHY THEY ARE USEFUL

Preventative injections can protect your tree and property from damage. A tree infested with either of these borers can suffer from vascular damage that will lead to dieback in the upper canopy. This damage can also weaken the tree and make it easier to break in wind or with snow weight. In addition to saving money in damages, by preventing the tree from dying you can save money by not having to remove any trees on your property. Dead trees pose a serious risk to the public and can be costly to remove due to their weakened and damaged structure.

WHEN TO APPLY

Injections for Emerald ash borer are most effective when applied to a tree before an infestation has taken place. Damage by the larvae is irreversible and the pest is highly aggressive and can cause death after as little as two years. In the case of a suspected infestation, it is best to have your tree inspected by an arborist as soon as possible.

Splintered Forest has a team of plant health care professionals available to help protect your ash trees from EAB. If you are concerned about your ash trees, take action and contact our team today to discuss treatment options!

Ash trees are a popular native tree species in the United States and are often planted as street or landscape trees. Ash trees are part of the Fraxinus genus and there are various species of ash trees in Colorado, including green ash and white ash. It is common to confuse an Ash tree with various other trees that look similar, such as black walnut, maple, boxelder, hickory, or dogwood trees. To correctly identify ash trees, you will need to closely examine various parts of the tree.

Ash Tree Branches

To start identifying an ash tree, you can look at its branches. You can either pick up a dead stick that has fallen to the ground or pull down a branch so you can get a close look at it. Check to see if the branches have opposite branching. This means that when branches grow from the main branch, they all start at the same position. Other trees feature alternate branching, with branches growing from the main branch alternating left and right. For example, maple, dogwood, and boxelder trees have opposite branching, while oak, cottonwood, and hickory trees have alternating branches. You can also look for fresh branch buds. On ash trees, the buds will be directly across from or opposite each other.

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Ash Tree Leaves

Another way to confirm that you have an ash tree is to look at its leaves. The leaf structure of an ash tree is compound rather than single. From this point you can count the number of leaves. You will either see a single leaf or 5 to 7 (some varieties have up to 11) smaller leaflets that branch out from it. A single leaf tree, such as a maple tree, has one big leaf that extends from the branch. Both ash trees and boxelder trees have compound leaves, so be careful with getting them confused. Another characteristic of ash tree leaves is that they have either smooth or finely toothed edges.

Ash Tree Bark

If you are looking at a mature ash tree, the bark can help with identification, too. Ash trees will have a diamond-shaped bark pattern on both white ash and green ash trees. This helps differentiate them from maple trees. Young ash trees may not have this distinctive bark pattern, but you should be able to rely on other characteristics if this is the case.

Ash Tree Seeds

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An ash tree will have either light green or brown clusters of seeds (known as a Samara). The seeds on an ash tree are paddle-shaped and resemble small leaves and dangle from the tree in big clusters. Don’t assume that a tree that lacks seeds isn’t an ash tree. Some ash trees are seedless. Only in late autumn and early winter can seed clusters develop. Boxelder/maple seeds are similarly clustered, although they resemble wings rather than paddles.

Why Is Identifying Ash Trees Important?

Knowing whether or not you have an ash tree on your property is important, especially in the state of Colorado. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) made its way to Colorado in 2013, and this pest has become a serious threat to ash trees. If you have an ash tree that has been infested with the Emerald Ash Borer, you will want to contact a professional to treat infected trees as soon as possible. EAB can be prevented, so if you live within 15 miles of a known EAB infestation, you may want to consider treating your ash trees.

Contact Splintered Forest For Your Tree Needs

If you’re having issues with your ash trees or any other type of tree on your property, Splintered Forest can help. Our crew includes ISA Certified Arborists, experienced tree climbers, and expert tree fellers. If you are seeing emerald ash borer signs of damage, contact us today to schedule your free, no obligation estimate.

The Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth an Invasive Pest

Have you noticed that your trees have shriveled and started to turn a reddish-brown color? You may have an infestation of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth. The first signs of attack usually appear in late spring (around bud break). Here is what you need to know and the treatment options that are available:

WHAT IS IT?
A young tussock moth caterpillar can be a green/black-like color with long body hairs that produce brightly colored tufts of hair as they grow larger.  A mature larva is about 1.2 – 1.4 inches long and has a gray to brown body and a shiny black head.  They have two, prominent, tufts of black hair that come out from their head; a similar tuft sticks out from the rear of the body.WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?
In a forest setting, the tussock moth prefers the Douglas-fir tree although it can occasionally be found on true fir trees or spruces.  In an urban setting, blue spruce trees are attacked.Since the female moths are flightless, they rely on wind to move the young larvae to initiate new infestations.LIFE CYCLE
The tussock moth has a one-year life cycle.  It spends the winter months as an egg and the eggs hatch in the spring, typically in late May (around the bud break time).  The caterpillars start out feeding on the newer foliage causing the partially consumed needles to turn brown.  The older caterpillars, will move to older needles as the more tender and desirable needles are eaten.DAMAGE
In the late spring, you may start to notice the first signs of an attack by the tussock moths.  The young larvae begin feeding on the current year’s foliage causing it to turn a reddish-brown color.  The damage begins at the top of the tree and outward branches and works its way to the inner branches and downward as the season progresses.Severe defoliation can lead to the death of the tree or make the trees more susceptible to an attack by a bark beetle.NEXT STEPS?
While the tussock moth does have some natural predators including birds, it is best to have your trees assessed and to create a treatment plan with a Plant Health Care technician. Contact the team at Splintered Forest to get a free consultation today! *DID YOU KNOW?
The hairs on the tussock moth larvae can cause an allergic reaction to humans known as Tussockosis.  A skin irritation is most common, but some can experience rashes, sneezing or watery eyes.  If you suspect you have come in contact with the larvae, wash after your exposure and always try to avoid handling the larvae.