If you live in a Minnesota city, you may have an ash tree on your property. Ash trees are a common native tree species and were also frequently planted as landscape or boulevard trees. More than one in five metro area trees is an ash tree. Where there are ash trees, there are Emerald Ash Borers (EAB), an invasive beetle from Asia. 

What can I do?

• Don't import materials to Minnesota that could harbor EAB, including firewood and all ash materials.
• Don't move firewood unless it's MDA Certified firewood. Look for the MDA Certified Seal: 
  
  
  
• Remember that it is illegal to move all non-coniferous firewood outside of EAB quarantine areas and into Minnesota.
• In 2022, Arden Hills residents will receive a discount for EAB tree care services from Rainbow Treecare. All residents will receive an informational postcard (PDF) from Rainbow Treecare about these services. Browse their website or contact them for more information.
• Become knowledgeable about recognizing EAB and remain vigilant to the condition of your ash trees.

from the MN Department of Natural Resources

EAB adults can fly at least a half mile from the tree when they emerge. However, new infestations are most often created when people transport infested nursery ash trees, logs or firewood into uninfested areas. Transportation of firewood has been regulated to reduce the spread of EAB. Ramsey County is a quarantine area, which prohibits the transportation of ash wood outside the County. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is responsible for quarantine enforcement and penalties.

Emerald Ash Borer are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during the summer months. The larvae is worm-like and live underneath the bark of ash trees. Trees are killed by the tunneling of the larvae under the tree's bark. They spread through short-distance flights and infested firewood transported long distance.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of EAB include:

• Bark splitting
  1. Vertical fissures on bark
  2. Galleries exposed under bark split
• Serpentine galleries and “D” shaped exit holes (as pictured above)
• The presence of EAB or larvae.
  1. Adult – Bright, metallic green/ ½ inch long, flattened back (pictured on penny)
  2. Larva – Creamy white, legless
• Canopy dieback
  1. Begins in top one-third of canopy
  2. Progresses until tree is bare
• Increased woodpecker activity
• Sprouting of epicormic shoots from the base of the tree