The June 2009 Portal Newsletter wanted to remind community residents to check ash trees for any sign of the emerald ash borer. According to the newsletter, millions of trees have been killed by the beetle in the eastern United States and they have recently been discovered on Minnesota trees in the metro area.
The Asian beetle was discovered in 2002 and kills North American ash species. The larvae cause damage to ash trees by feeding in tunnels just below the bark, disrupting the tree’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, according to the emerald ash border Web site.
Adult beetles are about half an inch long and leave D-shaped exit holes on the bark. More information about identifying the emerald ash borer can be found on the emerald ash border Web site.
Photo courtesy of the Nebraska Forest Service.
