Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer is a non-native beetle whose preferred host are native ash trees. It is believed that this insect pest was accidentally introduced into Michigan some years ago as a passenger in shipping crates imported from China.
 The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a greenish, metallic-colored beetle that is smaller than a penny. They were first identified in northwest Ohio in 2003. Midwestern and Eastern State EAB Spread Map
They now occur in 50 Ohio counties including Hamilton County. Ohio County Infestation Map
Adults lay eggs under the bark of ash trees and the resulting larvae tunnel through the host tree’s living tissue, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients throughout the tree. Once infested with EAB, an ash tree will die in two to five years, having been effectively debilitated by the larval tunneling.
Unfortunately, EAB has been identified to be infesting trees in Woodland Mound, Withrow Nature Preserve, Little Miami Golf Center, the Avoca Trailhead and along the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Armleder Park, Sharon Woods, Glenwood Gardens, Winton Woods, Embshoff Woods Nature Preserve and Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve are also affected. The EAB distribution is generally spreading from east to west across Hamilton County.
The Park District is working proactively to deal with this challenge in several ways. This past year, approximately 350 specimen ash trees across the Park District were treated with insecticide. In the past three years, 500 replacement trees in or near ash trees and areas expected to be negatively affected by EAB have been planted. Honeysuckle in ash forests is being controlled to encourage other tree species to take the place of ash trees killed by EAB. Those ash trees that have already succumbed to EAB have been chipped into mulch. 2010 Management and Response Plan
The following agencies provide comprehensive information about Emerald Ash Borer.
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