Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

EAB in Ramsey

On December 11, 2019, EAB was confirmed in two trees in Ramsey.  It appears that one tree had been infested for several years already simply based on the amount of woodpecker activity throughout the tree and along the trunk.  The second tree appeared to be more recently infested as very few signs of EAB were visible other than a single larval gallery and exit hole.

Beginning in 2022, EAB infested trees are evident throughout the community.  These trees can be found on both public and private lands.  The City of Ramsey will be actively removing EAB infested ash trees on public lands in accordance with Best Management Practices.  Ramsey strongly encourages private property owners to actively remove any EAB infested ash trees on their property.  Removal should be done during the Low Risk time (typically from October through April), when the adult insects are inactive.  Infested ash wood should be disposed of at an Ash Tree Waste Disposal Site.

Quarantine

The confirmation of EAB in Ramsey was not surprising given the proximity to other known infestations.  Additionally, EAB had been found in Anoka County already, dating back to 2015.  At that time, Anoka County was entered into a state and federal quarantine in an attempt to limit the further spread of EAB.  The find in Ramsey does not have any impact on the existing quarantine.

About EAB

EAB is an invasive insect from Asia that was first discovered in Detroit, Michigan in 2002 and was confirmed in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 14, 2009. Since that time, EAB has been confirmed in at least forty (40) Minnesota counties and that number is expected to continue climbing.  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture keeps up to date information on new finds and quarantines.

EAB is responsible for the loss of millions of ash trees in other states already. Minnesota has the second largest population of ash trees in the country and so the economic and environmental impact of EAB could be devastating. EAB appears to attack all types of native ash trees (Green Ash, White Ash, and Black Ash) regardless of whether they are healthy or under stress. Adult insects are slender, bronze or golden green with dark metallic green wings, and about ¼ to ½ inch in length. However, it is the larval stage that causes all the damage. The larvae can be 1-1¼ inches long, are cream colored with a brown head.  EAB larvae feed on the tissues just beneath the bark and can ultimately girdle a tree.

Signs of EAB

The larvae feed on the cambial area between the inner bark and wood, which disrupts a tree's ability to transport sugars from the leaves to the roots, as well as the water and nutrients from the roots to the canopy. Over several years' time, an infested tree will die. Note that unlike some species, when ash trees die, they can become fairly brittle rather quickly, resulting in possible hazard tree conditions. One of the best tools for early detection of EAB is to look for evidence of woodpecker activity during leaf-off conditions.  Other signs of an EAB infestation may include the following: