The Emerald Ash Borer has made its way into northeast Johnson County and is on the move. Three adult insects were recently found in a tree trap in Roeland Park. Now that EAB has been confirmed in Northeast Johnson County, ash trees in the cities of Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills and Overland Park are under severe threat of being effected. What is this destructive insect and what does it mean for residents? KC Arborist breaks it down for you.
What is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?
The Emerald Ash Borer is a very destructive insect that has made its way into the Kansas City area. It attacks Ash trees that have not been treated using a preventative stem or soil injection and can cause them to die. In the summer of 2013, the Kansas City metro area was put under quarantine regarding the EAB. This regulated the movement of potentially contaminated wood products including logs and compost to wood chips and green lumber. There were sightings of EAB infestation in Johnson County, Wyandotte County, and Parkville. And today, the insects are on the move within the metro. Recent reports include Roeland Park and other northeast Johnson County cities.
Is the Emerald Ash Borer in your KC neighborhood?Â
Below are a few telltale signs to look for. Once Ash trees are infected, they die within a few seasons if not treated.
- Look for dieback, or dead areas in the peripheral parts, in the upper canopy of the tree
- New sprouts forming at the treeâs base
- âDâ shaped exit holes
- Woodpecker damage
When should you have the preventative treatment applied to your Ash trees?Â
At KC Arborist, we have expertise in dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer. If your tree has symptoms, it is not too late. However, we recommend not waiting until your tree has symptoms to call our team. Preventative treatment is the best thing for KC residents to do to ensure keeping Ash trees alive. In fact, many cities have had Ash trees removed from public property. This is a smart step to getting ahead of the destruction of the EAB.
Do you have questions or concerns about the Emerald Ash Borer and your homeâs Ash trees? Give KC Arborist a call today at (913) 390-0033 or (816) 965-0539.
