Posted in Chattanooga Tree Service Updates on Sep 16, 2022

Common Problems with Ash Trees in Chattanooga

Signs and Symptoms of the Emerald Ash Borer

Common problems with ash trees in Chattanooga

Ash trees are a common sight in many Chattanooga neighborhoods including Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, and surrounding areas, but few people realize how dangerous they can be. Home and business owners should be aware of the dangers ash trees pose so that they can take steps to protect their property.

Ash trees are susceptible to infestation of the emerald ash borer (EAB), which is an exotic beetle believed to have originated on wood packing material from Asia. 


What is an Emerald Ash Borer? 

Blue bug sitting on green leaf with common problems with ash trees in Chattanooga

Often referred to as the acronym EAB, the female emerald ash borer (EAB) lays eggs in bark crevices on ash trees, and their larvae feed underneath the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. “Typically, the emerald ash borer beetles can kill an ash tree within three years of the initial infestation” according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Moreover, the disease is spreading quickly and has already killed thousands of ash trees in the Tennessee Valley. If you’ve seen tree skeletons with no foliage alongside Lookout Mountain during summer, these are likely fields of ash trees that have been killed by the emerald ash borer.


How Can I Protect My Ash Trees?

There are several things you can do to prevent your ash tree from being infested with emerald ash borer. First, you should avoid transporting firewood from one location to another. Emerald ash borers can live in firewood for up to five years. Second, you should choose trees that are less susceptible to emerald ash borer infestation when planting new trees. Finally, you should regularly check your ash trees for signs of infestation and call Paden Tree People immediately if you find any.


What Should I Do If I Think My Ash Tree is Infested? 

If you think your ash tree has been infested with emerald ash borer, you should contact Paden Tree People right away. The emerald ash borer is difficult to control once it has infested an area; and due to their brittle wood, it can become very dangerous to climb an ash tree for removal after the EAB has killed it. It is important to act quickly to prevent the spread of this destructive pest, and a tree crane is generally the safest means of removal for your property and the tree worker alike. 


A large Ash tree showcasing common problems with Ash trees in Chattanooga

Home and business owners should be aware of the dangers posed by ash trees. These trees are susceptible to an invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer, which can kill them within a few years. Ash trees are also prone to falling over, which can cause damage to property and injuries to people. If you have an ash tree on your property, it is important to have it regularly inspected by a Paden Tree People arborist. 


SOURCES

https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/plants/plant-pests-and-quarantines/insects.html

https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/emerald-ash-borer/emerald-ash-borer-beetle