Ash bug - what to do?

12 years ago

lost a couple branches on 2 ash trees. thought it was EAB. but when I cut down the branches and pulled off the bark I found earwig nests, and some tiny little things that looked like ants (maybe baby erwigs?).

whatever it was, it girdled the branch all the way around.

How do I prevent this from killing the entire tree(s)??

some pics. the last one is of some holes in the trunk (well below the effected branches). I don't think these are EAB though...

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Shot at 2011-08-14

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Shot at 2011-08-14

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Comments (10)

jean001a
12 years ago
Earwigs were using the lifted bark as a hiding place. Not the cause of the problem.
skyjumper
Original Author
12 years ago
well then maybe this EAB after all? but does EAB gridle the branch? I thought it tunneled back and forth. I didn't really see that, or the D shaped holes. just lifted bark and a noticeable "ring" around the branch where it appeared some bug had lunch.

will the soil drench treatments for EAB kill the other things that do this as well?
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Regarding Imidacloprid Drench, soil inject, or trunk inject. Large trees must be proactively treated, before EAB causes noticeable damage. And if already showing decline, one must apply god-sent Tree-age product until tree recovers. Imidacloprid product must be applied just after ground unfreezes, which is usually April for us in the Midwest. Since peak uptake is needed between end of May and First of July, because Imidacloprid only kills Adults feeding on leaves, and Borer larvae's first two "Instar" stages. So Imidacloprid must kill off all young stage borers, before they reach damaging 3rd and 4th instar stages which Imidacloprid can not kill. Anyone in fear of killing off Honey bees or Earth worms, which settlers both brought over from Europe in 1700's. Must remove any flowering plants under treated tree that might also uptake drench or soil inject. Another proven option is applying Organic Tree-azin and Aza-sol produced naturally from India's Neem tree. Presently these are only approved products available in Canada. All the above only lasts one year, but Tree-age G4 can be purchased and applied by any common tree owner that lasts two years. If anyone would like to learn how to trunk inject themselves, using assembled parts costing under $2 bucks. Just contact me! Know that ALB Asian Longhorn Beetle had been totally eradicated here in Chicago. Since ALB spreads so slow, compared to EAB. Public should also be aware that 99% of Nursury trees arrive today with root flare already too deep in rootball. And require "Root flare excavation" before dug out of field, or installed on parkway. Also be aware that all young trees require "Formative structural pruning" to retain "Apical dominance" completed every few years until age 15-20. And also understory fruit trees with "modified crowns". Enjoy!
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Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
12 years ago
Aw skyjumper. That really sucks and in a few years I may be in the same boat with a white ash.

EAB larvae pattern in pictures look more random to me. Them exit holes are oval not "D" shaped. It has also been a dry hot summer. Some residential trees in st louis are having a rough time. Decreased vigor means increased problems with bugs.

Bayer makes a product which is supposed to make your tree EAB proof. No warranty. It also kills a number of other insects.

There is a new professional treatment for EAB also, no warranty.

My plan is to start the Bayer treatment or whatever is newer and better on my one remaining prime ash when EAB is officially found in st louis. Irrational but I like the tree.
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
12 years ago
I don't see that as EAB either. Plenty of other critters out there looking to make a meal out of a stressed tree, that reminds me of Asian Longhorned Beetle exit hole patterns.

Dan
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
agree the earwigs are not relevant... they are after the already dead stuff ...

link below for damage per dan's suggestion.. scroll down the pix ... there are the tunnels ...

its gotta go.. IMHO

the bayer stuff MIGHT be a very expensive 'preventative' .. but it isnt going to save this tree ... IMHO ...

ken
skyjumper
Original Author
12 years ago
here's a picture of the whole tree. it looks healthy to me. I'd hate to cut it down over this.

it sounds like the consensus here is it's not EAB, but likely some other bug.

if I were to do the Bayer soil drench can I do it now or should I wait until fall??
{{gwi:426108}}
By null at 2011-08-15
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
12 years ago
Skyjumper, to my non professional eye that tree looks pretty healthy on the whole. Given the dry hot summer around here especially.

Next time you are at the hardware store or on bayer's website read the directions. See if you have that kind of money to throw at the tree.
denninmi
12 years ago
I've had great success keeping my one ash tree healthy with the Bayer type product --- I say type because I now buy a cheaper, generic version at Meijer, about half the price, same concentration of the same AI.

I wish they had had this product when I lost my older, more mature trees. I guess this one tree, being quite a bit younger, was able to fight them off better.

For emerald ash borer, you need to apply in early spring before leaves emerge, so that the tree will take up the product rapidly. To me, the tree in the photo looks healthy, and could wait until next spring. Applying now means you waste a lot of the product.

Also, based on the photo, looks like 2 to 3 bottles (but don't quote me, hard to say for sure). So, at most, about $60 a year, probably less if you can find a store selling the generic.
skyjumper
Original Author
12 years ago
thanks for the tips everyone.

we do have Meijer here in the chicago burbs now (I am from west michigan so I can appreciate that). I'll go check it out.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
since its out in the meadow ... there is no reason to remove it immediately .... i presumed a small yard with a large tree .. with the attendant risks ....

ken

Ash bug - what to do?

Comments (10)

jean001a

skyjumper
Original Author

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Ash bug - what to do?

Comments (10)

jean001a

skyjumperOriginal Author

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Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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skyjumperOriginal Author

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skyjumper
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