With Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) continuing to be a serious threat to Maryland's ash trees, we've developed this web page to help you become aware of the beetle and quickly get to resources you need. To quickly find a resource, see the resource menu by topic to right.
- Report EAB
- History and About EAB
- Resources
 If you suspect signs of an EAB infestation, contact:
- The Maryland Department of Agriculture at
410-841-5920; or,
- University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center at 1-800-342-2507 or use online reporting form.
History
The emerald ash borer (EAB) was brought to the US in the 1990’s, but wasn't a problem until 2002 when they were found to be killing ash trees in the Detroit area. The pest has now killed millions of ash trees in Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec.
The EAB was introduced into Maryland when infected ash trees were shipped to a nursery in Prince George’s County in 2003 and was again detected in neighboring Charles County in 2006. Currently, there is a quarantine of firewood for Prince George’s and Charles Counties, and infected trees have only been reported inside the quarantine area. Within these two counties, there is an eradication zone of 18,000 acres in which ash trees are being harvested and ground into pieces less than 1 inch.
Characteristics of Beetle and Infestation
The EAB is a metallic green beetle one-third to one-half inch long. Adult beetles can fly and will feed on foliage, but it is the larvae that seriously harm trees. It is only ash trees that are affected. Larvae hatch from eggs laid on the bark and tunnel into the cambium, which is between the tree’s bark and wood. When the larvae make their S-shaped tunnels in the cambium, water and nutrient transport is disrupted. Thus, the tree cannot transport life-sustaining materials to the branches. The canopy begins dying back, and in 1-4 years, the whole tree may be dead.
It is good to be familiar with how to identify the EAB and know what to do if you find it. Signs of infestation include:
- D-shaped adult beetle exit holes in bark
- Curvy tunnels under the bark
- Canopy dieback
Is there a future for ash trees?
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has a plan for storing ash seeds for future planting in case the infestation of the emerald ash borer expands and decimates more of the ash population in the US. They are asking volunteers to collect batches of about 500 healthy seeds from ash trees. Seeds should be collected directly from the tree in late summer when they can easily be removed. If you are interested in helping collect seed, go to www.ashseed.org. |
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University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC):
HGIC provides information about EAB including facts about the insect. The page also includes pictures showing what symptoms of infestation look like, and talks about those purple EAB traps you may have seen around Maryland.
Main page: http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/emeraldAshBorer.cfm
University of Maryland Resources:
Extension Fact Sheets-
FS-835: UME Fact Sheet - Emerald Ash Borer-Is It Time to Diversify? offers information about alternative trees to native ash.
FS-836: UME Fact Sheet - Emerald Ash Borer: A Serious Threat to Your Ash Trees, offers information about the economic impact of the threat, species of native ash trees in Maryland and, how to recognize EAB.
Branching Out Newsletter Articles -
Be Proactive About Protecting Your Forests This Spring, Spring 2007
Emerald Ash Borer Found in
Maryland, Fall 2006, Page 2
Maryland Department of Agriculture:
The Maryland Department of Agriculture's EAB page contains updates about the status of EAB in Maryland. Information includes Program Updates, EAB Quarantine Facts, General Information about EAB, EAB Identification (symptoms and look-alikes), and how to Identify Native Ash trees. Other points of interest are the EAB Quarantine Diagram, and the Firewood Alert. You will also find various press releases to the public about EAB.
Main page: http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/eab/
Maryland Department of Natural Resources:
The Maryland Department of natural Resources brings you an EAB page that includes the insect's history, eradication plan, identification tips and information about how EAB is impacting Maryland.
Main Page: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrnews/infocus/emerald_ash_borer.asp
Other State Resources
New York:
Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Ohio:
OSU Extension News Story: Researchers Look at Emerald Ash Borer Damage, Impact of Invasive Plants; John Cardina, Horticulture and Crop Science, OARDC and OSU Extension, May 21, 2008
OSU Extension Fact Sheet F-59-Rev06: Management Options
for minimizing Emerald Ash Borer
Impact on Ohio Woodlands; Randall Heiligmann, Ohio State University Extension State Forestry Specialist and
Kathy Smith, Ohio State University Extension Associate, Forestry
Ohio Department of Agriculture EAB Home Page
Pennsylvania:
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences - Entomology: EAB Home Page
Penn State Extension Fact Sheet: Invasive Insects - Emerald Ash Borer
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture EAB Home Page
Virginia:
Virginia Department of Forestry EAB Quarantine Q&A
West Virginia:
West Virginia Department of Agriculture EAB Home Page
National Links:
EAB is not just a threat to Maryland. EAB threatens other states in the Northeastern region and Canadian provence's including, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec. You can find more information about EAB as a National threat at the following websites:
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