Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive, ash tree-killing insect easily moved through firewood, ash logs, ash nursery stock, and parts of an ash tree. For that reason, all Ohioans should monitor their ash trees for signs of the beetle.
Anticipating the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer, Bath Township, starting in 2006, has eliminated the use of all Ash trees from being planted within the township’s property; as well as monitoring trees within the township’s boundaries looking for any signs or symptoms of the EAB infestation.
Quarantine Information
Summit County IS a quarantine county.
(click here for more information)
But there is a Federal Quarantine for the entire state of Ohio. All 88 counties are prohibited from moving ash tree materials and hardwood firewood out of the state of Ohio without federal certification.
ODA has quarantined parts of Ohio to help stop the spread of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) through materials that may harbor the destructive pest. It is illegal to take ash trees, parts of ash trees and all hardwood firewood out of quarantined areas without a compliance agreement.
First things first:
ID your Ash Trees:
The first step in (EAB) detection is determining if you have an ash tree. Only true ash are susceptible to the pest (Fraxinus species). Such as green (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), white (Fraxinus americana), black (Fraxinus nigra), and blue (Fraxinus guadrangulata). Mountain Ash and Prickly Ash are not true ash and therefore not susceptible to the Emerald Ash Borer.
ID the Pest:
The following symptoms may be viewed prior to seeing the Emerald Ash Borer:
- Distinct, D-shaped exit holes in the bark
- Serpentine-shaped tunnels under the bark on the surface of the wood
- Young sprout growth at the base of the tree
- Unusual activity by woodpeckers
- Thinning canopy of the tree
- Vertical splits in the bark
- Make sure your beetle is an Emerald Ash Borer. There are a few native beetles that are similar to an Emerald Ash Borer and serve as a good purpose by feeding on many kinds of insects, especially ants, as well as spiders and other small invertebrates.
Lastly, if your Ash Tree does need to be cut down and removed make sure you ask the contractor if they are Qualified and ODA compliant in handling wood that has been tainted with EAB.
For More Information on the Emerald Ash Borer, contact The Ohio Department of Agriculture at 1-888-OHIO-EAB (1-888-644-6322) or visit the Ohio EAB website at—www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab.