Signs of emerald ash borer
- Thinning at the top of the crown that spreads downward
- Small D-shaped exit holes in the bark
- Lots of woodpecker activity and flaked off bark
- Shoots sprouting from the lower trunk
- Vertical splits in the bark with S-shaped tunnels underneath
Treat or remove?
A healthy, valuable ash with little canopy loss can sometimes be protected with regular insecticide treatments. Once a tree has lost much of its crown, treatment rarely brings it back and removal is the safer choice.
Replacing what you lose
We are happy to suggest replacement trees that do well in Springfield's clay soils and hot summers. Planting a mix of species protects your yard from the next pest that targets just one kind of tree.