Emerald ash borer has been working through Illinois for years, and Metro East is no exception. If you have ash trees on your property, early summer is when the visible damage really starts to show.
Signs to watch for: S-shaped feeding galleries visible under bark that's cracking or peeling away, D-shaped exit holes about the size of a pencil tip in the bark, dying branches at the top of the canopy working their way downward, and increased woodpecker activity on the trunk, since woodpeckers hunt the larvae.
An ash tree infested with emerald ash borer has a limited window. Healthy trees treated early have a real chance. Trees that are already more than 50 percent declined are typically candidates for removal.
Do you have ash trees on your property? Have you noticed any of these signs this year? #MadisonCounty #MetroEastIL
Close-up of EAB damage: D-shaped exit holes, S-shaped galleries under peeling bark, or crown dieback on a Metro East IL ash tree. Real job site photos strongly preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Spot Emerald Ash Borer Early" or "EAB: Know the Signs Before It's Too Late"