What is an Emerald Ash Borer?
The emerald ash borer is a small metallic green beetle measuring one-half inch long. The average adult beetle could easily fit on a penny. Native to Asia, it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and has since spread throughout the Midwest and eastern United States.
The adult emerald ash borer emerges in May to July and the female lays numerous eggs in bark crevices and between layers of bark. When the eggs hatch in 7-10 days, the larvae bore into the tree, where they chew the inner bark and phloem, creating winding galleries as they feed. This cuts off the flow of water and nutrients to the tree, causing it to slowly deterioriate and die.
How do I know if a tree is affected?
The most visible sign of infestation is crown dieback; branches at the top of the tree die, and lower branches begin to die in subsequent years.
What if I suspect an ash tree
in my neighborhood park is infested?
As much as 20 percent of trees in the Chicago area are ash trees, so chances are, they're in and around your parks and neighborhood. If you suspect a tree in your local park is infested, contact the Fox Valley Park District at 630-897-0516.
On a brighter note...
On the heels of our highly successful "Plant 1,000 Trees" initiative in 2008, the Park District upped the ante in 2009 and 2010, planting 1,500 trees throughout the District each year, providing natural beauty, cleaner air and water - and lots more shade - at our 155 parks. Read the full story.
Notice:
Infested trees removed at Goodwin Park, replaced with oak trees
In mid-February of 2010, Park District staff discovered several large green ash trees at Goodwin Park to be infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
This exotic but destructive wood-boring beetle attacks ash trees exclusively, and poses no health risks to residents.
The Park District took pro-active steps, removing the infested trees while working through the recommendations of the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Morton Arboretum.
The affected trees were shredded and converted into wood chips to limit the infestation. They were replaced with oaks to maintain the Park District's "urban forests."
Made in the shade: 1,500 trees planted District-wide
