Information for Homeowners

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Frequently Asked Questions - Commonly asked questions about the emerald ash borer.

 

Ash Tree Identification and Management

• Decision guide -- Should You Keep Your Ash Trees? (PDF, 769KB)
• Ash Management Guidelines for Private Forest Landowners (PDF, 10.2MB)
  University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  Chosen for a 2012 Notable Documents Award from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for public policy, recognizing the publication as innovative in providing substantive information on contemporary issues of interest.
• Ash Tree Identification Bulletin (PDF, 5.01MB)
  Kimberly Rebek and Mary Wilson - criteria to properly identify ash trees.
• Distinguishing Ash from other Common Trees (PDF, 0.50MB)
  This key is intended to help you distinguish between some common deciduous landscape trees frequently confused with ash, including: elm, boxelder, mountain ash, walnut and hickory
• Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation - EAB Management Statement (PDF, 1MB)
  January 2011
  This document is an endorsement for ash tree conservation as part of integrated approach to managing emerald ash borer in urban areas, and is supported by university scientists with expertise in EAB management, commercial arborists, municipal foresters, public works officials, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
  Letter of Support for the Coalition's EAB Management Statement (PDF, 80KB)
• Common Problems of Ash Trees/Ash Tree Identification (PDF, 934KB)
  Iowa State University Extension, November 2010
  This diagnostic guide is intended to help you distinguish emerald ash borer injury from other common problems of ash trees.
• Emerald Ash Borer and your Woodland (PDF, 0.47MB)
  September 2007
  E-2943 - Dealing with EAB as a woodland owner in Michigan & surrounding states.
• Choose Arborist Carefully To Treat Trees For Emerald Ash Borer (PDF, 0.02MB)
  Tips on hiring an arborist to treat trees for eab.
• Hiring an Arborist (PDF, 0.01MB)
  Take this quiz before you hire someone to treat your ash tree for emerald ash borer.
• Hiring A Tree Company - What You Need to Know (PDF, 0.01MB)
  Knowing how to hire an arborist or tree care company is critical to ensuring you get the best care possible for your trees.
• Ash Tree Disposal Sites - Michigan only
  A listing of disposal sites in Michigan that will accept dead and dying ash trees/materials.
• Minnesota EAB Waste Utilization Fact Sheet
  The Mulch Store has four Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) certified sites to process ash tree waste.
• My Ash Tree is Dead...Now What Do I Do? (PDF, 4MB)
  Michigan State University Extension
  March 2007 - E-2940
  This publication for homeowners focuses on what options are available for the dead and dying trees in their yards. Wood use options are suggested, allowing homeowners several ways they can recover some of the value in the resource.

Emerald Ash Borer Identification

• Signs and Symptoms of the Emerald Ash Borer (PDF, 5.14MB)
  Updated December 2005
  Photos showing signs of emerald ash borer. Pros and cons of insecticide treatment options.
• Native Borers and Emerald Ash Borer Look-alikes (PDF, 6.27MB)
  February 2005
  Photos of insects that look like emerald ash borer.
• Don't be Fooled by Emerald Ash Borer Look-alikes! (PDF, 0.66MB)
  Distinguish between these beetles that could be confused with emerald ash borer.

Emerald Ash Borer Control and Insecticide Options

• EAB Insecticides: Label Guidance for Use Limits (PDF, 1,150KB)
  February 2012 - From the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  Some insecticides used to control emerald ash borer (EAB) have annual per acre use limits. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers this label guidance to help applicators and others comply with label directions, meet tree treatment objectives, and minimize environmental impacts. The MDA completed a special registration review of EAB insecticides in 2011. The review concluded that insecticides commonly used to control EAB are not likely to harm human health or the environment when used according to label directions.
• Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer (PDF, 373KB)
  June 2009
  The most current, up-to-date information and research on if, when, and how to treat ash trees is available in this bulletin.
• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Potential Side Effects of EAB Insecticides (PDF, 311KB)
  February 2011
  Research and Extension Specialists from Michigan State University, the Ohio State University OARDC and Extension, and University of Minnesota Extension have put together a comprehensive publication that addresses questions and concerns regarding insecticide use to control emerald ash borer.

After Emerald Ash Borer

• Alternative Tree Species Selection (PDF, 1.02MB)
  This guide gives suggestions for species that should be considered in situations where a homeowner, landscape, or urban forester may have planted an ash in the past in Michigan's lower peninsula.
• Wisconsin Alternatives to Ash Trees for Homeowners
  Laura G. Jull - Dept. of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since the emerald ash borer's discovery in 2002, research has been ongoing to develop tools to control and eliminate this pest. Currently, there are a number of treatments available for use by homeowners or tree care professionals that can provide a varying degree of beetle control. A review of all options is recommended, as well as knowing the regulations regarding EAB quarantines and eradication strategies for your area. Contact your state department of agriculture for more EAB regulatory information. As more methods of EAB control are developed, more information will be available. References to commercial products or trade names do not imply endorsement by the entities supplying the information, or bias against those not mentioned. Reprinting of any material on this site cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company.