Identifying Emerald Ash Borer Damage Early

Emerald ash borer affects ash trees, so identifying the tree is an important first step before assuming that visible decline is related to this insect.

Tree decline can have many causes, including environmental stress, root problems, storm damage, disease, construction impacts, or other insects.

A declining ash tree may show several visible changes. No single symptom should automatically be treated as a diagnosis because similar signs can occur for other reasons.

A tree with significant decline or dead branches can become more difficult to manage as its condition worsens.

If an ash tree is showing noticeable decline, assessment can help determine whether monitoring, pruning, another tree-care step, or removal should be discussed.

Photos can be useful for showing visible symptoms, but tree condition often depends on factors that are easier to understand at the property, including canopy condition, trunk defects, root-zone changes, nearby construction, and overall site conditions.

If the tree is near a house, driveway, sidewalk, utility area, or other frequently used space, avoid standing underneath obviously damaged or hanging branches while arranging further review.