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University of Illinois Extension serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties

Main Office (Stephenson County)
Highland Community College, Bldg R
2998 W Pearl City Rd
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-235-4125
FAX: 815-232-9006
Email:uie-jsw@illinois.edu
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm

Branch Office (Jo Daviess County)
204 Vine, PO Box 600
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Phone: 815-858-2273
FAX: 815-858-2274

Branch Office (Winnebago County)
1040 North Second Street
Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: 815-986-4357
FAX: 815-986-4329
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

News Release

Does my tree have Emerald Ash Borer

May 14, 2012

URBANA -- Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has already emerged this year. To determine if a tree has been attacked, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Martha Smith suggests the following steps.

First, identify the tree. Emerald Ash Borer attacks only members of the Fraxinus genus, or true ash. On true ashes, buds, leaves, and branches form directly opposite one another on the twig or branch. If they do not, the tree is not a true ash and the EAB cannot attack it. The most common types of ash in Illinois are green, white, blue, black, and pumpkin ash. Some names are misleading -- for example, mountain ash is not a true ash. It is a member of the Sorbus genus and cannot be attacked by EAB.

Second, start to look for signs of decline, starting in the upper third of the tree canopy. If the tree looks unhealthy, look for D-shaped holes about the size of a BB. Anything round or larger has not been caused by EAB.

If bark on the trunk is splitting, lift it and look underneath. Snake-like tunneling under the bark may indicate the presence of EAB. Young sprout growth clustered at the base of the tree may also indicate EAB.

University of Illinois Extension has a handy checklist that can be used for identifying the tree and determining if EAB is present. The checklist is available for downloading at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/hmrs/. The document is also available from local U of I Extension offices. Due to the volume of contacts, U of I Extension will not conduct site visits.

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News source: Martha Smith, 309-756-9978, smithma@illinois.edu

News writer: Susan Jongeneel, 217-333-3291, sjongene@illinois.edu