What are the Signs of an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation?
There are several signs to look for when you assess your ash trees for damage. Canopy Dieback The tunnels (called galleries) carved out by EAB larvae disrupt water and nutrient transport within the tree, gradually cutting off the food supply to the branches of your ash tree. Canopy dieback begins in the top third of your tree’s canopy and progresses downward until your tree is bare of its leaves. Epicormic Shoots Epicormic shoots are extra sprouts that grow upwards from the tree’s roots or outwards from its trunk. Also, the leaves on these extra tree growths are often larger than normal. Epicormic shoots generally appear on a stressed or injured tree; therefore, with ash trees, these shoots can certainly be a sign of an emerald ash borer infestation. Serpentine Galleries The larvae carve tunnels called galleries into the wood of ash trees just underneath the outer bark layer. These galleries weave back and forth across the grain of the wood, disrupting the water and nutrient transport
