Emerald Ash Borer Found in Woodridge Tree 

WOODRIDGE, IL – There is convenient access to the Village of Woodridge from I-355 and I-55 but at least one visitor to the community is not welcome - as the Village and Illinois Department of Agriculture staff recently confirmed Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Woodridge.

EAB is a small, metallic-green beetle that has killed tens of millions of ash trees in the United States and Canada.  EAB larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, interrupting the supply of nutrients causing the trees to starve and eventually die.  While the beetle does not pose any risk to the public health, it does threaten the ash tree population. 

All or parts of 24 counties in north and central parts of Illinois are under quarantine and prohibit the movement of potentially contaminated wood products, including ash trees, limbs, branches, and all types of firewood to help prevent the spread of the beetle.

With the previous EAB infestations found in nearby communities and throughout the region, the discovery in Woodridge does not come as a surprise.  The Village has been working on EAB mitigation efforts since May 2007 by removing damaged and distressed ash trees and replacing them with other tree species, as well as diversifying some areas that were predominately ash.  The Village currently has just under 11,000 parkway trees, of which nearly 2,600 are ash. 

Emerald ash borer is difficult to detect, especially in newly-infested trees.  Individuals should watch for metallic-green beetles about half the diameter of a penny on or near ash trees that are showing signs of disease or stress.  Other signs of infestation in ash trees include D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and shoots growing from its base.  If considering treatment of trees with insecticide, you are encouraged to learn the facts and make an informed choice based upon your circumstances.  The Morton Arboretum website (www.mortonarb.org) carries a fact sheet on insecticides that will help homeowners consider their options.

Anyone in Woodridge who suspects a tree has been infested is urged to contact the Public Works Department at (630) 719-4753 and for more information, visit the Village’s website at www.vil.woodridge.il.us or www.IllinoisEAB.com.

Emerald Ash Borer Background Information 

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small (1/2 inch long, 1/8 inch wide) metallic green beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across the Midwest. Ash trees are very common in landscapes and most species, namely white ash and green ash, are native to Illinois forests. Pictures of various types of ash trees can be viewed at the Morton Arboretum website, http://www.mortonarb.org.

Infestation of Emerald Ash Borer can be very difficult to detect until the branches of an infected tree begin to die. The most visible sign that the EAB is present is crown dieback, which appears after the first year of infestation. Usually the leaves on the upper third of the tree will begin to thin and the branches will begin to die. A number of suckers and branches will also sprout from the base of the tree and on the trunk. The bark may split vertically and woodpeckers may begin to feed on the beetle larvae leaving visible damage on the bark. Adult beetles emerging from trees will leave a very small 1/8 inch diameter distinctly D-shaped exit hole that may appear anywhere on the trunk or upper branches. Distinct S-shaped larval feeding tunnels may also be apparent under the bark. Typically, the tree will die in about three years.

At this time, there is no recognized treatment for trees that have been infested with the Emerald Ash Borer. Treatments with insecticides are currently being studied, but residents should use caution if they are approached by companies promising treatments to prevent Emerald Ash Borer infestation. The best defense against this pest is to make sure that your ash trees are healthy and maintained.

- Do Not Transport Firewood: Emerald Ash Borer can easily be transported in ash logs. Make sure to purchase firewood locally from a known source and be sure to use all of the firewood in the cold months so that no hidden Emerald Ash Borer larvae or adults can survive on logs left through the spring.