The Ongoing Battle Against Emerald Ash Borer in Michigan
If you’ve lived in Michigan for more than a decade, chances are you’ve heard of the emerald ash borer. This small, metallic-green beetle has changed the landscape of our state in ways few pests ever have. Entire neighborhoods that once enjoyed the shade of mature ash trees now have bare streets or young replacements struggling to take their place. Many homeowners remember the wave of destruction the insect caused in the early 2000s and may wonder, is the emerald ash borer still a problem today?
At Martin Tree Service, we get this question often, and the answer is yes. While the initial outbreak has slowed since its peak, the emerald ash borer (often called EAB) remains an active and serious threat to ash trees throughout Michigan and surrounding states. The pest may no longer make headlines, but it is far from gone.
How the Emerald Ash Borer Changed Michigan’s Trees
The emerald ash borer was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 near Detroit. Believed to have arrived accidentally in wood packing materials from Asia, it spread rapidly across the state. Michigan’s ash trees, which had no natural resistance to the beetle, were quickly overwhelmed. Within a few short years, millions of ash trees were dead or dying.
Ash trees once made up a significant portion of Michigan’s urban and suburban canopy. They were prized for their strength, fast growth, and adaptability. Unfortunately, those same characteristics made them an easy and widespread target for infestation. As EAB larvae feed beneath the bark, they disrupt the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, essentially starving it from the inside out.
By the time most homeowners notice visible signs of decline, thinning canopies, bark splitting, or D-shaped exit holes, the damage is already extensive. Without treatment, an ash tree will typically die within two to four years of infestation.
Why the Threat Isn’t Over
Although Michigan has been battling EAB for more than 20 years, the pest hasn’t disappeared. It continues to exist in the environment, especially in rural and wooded areas where untreated or natural ash populations remain. Because adult beetles can fly several miles and new generations emerge each year, isolated infestations can still appear even in neighborhoods that lost most of their ash trees years ago.
In addition, many homeowners still have ash trees that survived the first wave of infestation, either through luck, partial resistance, or ongoing treatment. These trees remain at risk if treatments lapse or if new beetle populations move into the area. The beetle’s lifecycle makes it especially challenging to eliminate completely, as larvae overwinter beneath the bark, hidden from view, and adults emerge in spring to start the cycle again.
At Martin Tree Service, we continue to see cases of active emerald ash borer in our Michigan service areas every year. While the numbers are smaller than they were during the initial outbreak, the threat is persistent and requires continued awareness and management.
How to Tell If Your Ash Tree Is at Risk
One of the biggest challenges with the emerald ash borer is early detection. The signs of infestation are subtle at first and can easily be mistaken for normal stress or drought damage. As certified arborists, we look for several key indicators when inspecting ash trees:
Thinning or dieback in the upper canopy: This is often one of the first visible symptoms. The top branches lose leaves or appear sparse compared to the rest of the tree.
Epicormic shoots or “suckers” along the trunk: When a tree is stressed, it may send out new shoots from the lower trunk or base as a survival response.
Splitting bark or S-shaped galleries underneath: As larvae feed beneath the bark, they leave winding tunnels that can cause the outer bark to split open.
Woodpecker activity: Woodpeckers often feed on EAB larvae, leaving behind patches of lighter bark where they’ve pecked.
D-shaped exit holes: When adult beetles emerge in late spring, they leave behind small, flat-edged exit holes about the size of a grain of rice.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a certified arborist right away. Even if your tree appears mostly healthy, an inspection can confirm whether it’s truly in the clear or showing early signs of infestation.Michigan trees face several serious insect and disease threats, and late summer is the perfect time to identify them.
Take emerald ash borer, for example. This invasive beetle has devastated ash trees throughout the state. By late summer, symptoms like canopy thinning, bark splitting, and D-shaped exit holes are more apparent. Likewise, fungal diseases such as oak wilt, apple scab, and anthracnose typically show their damage in leaf spots, wilting, and dieback, all of which are easier to diagnose while leaves are still on the tree.
Many of these pests and diseases are time-sensitive. If we detect oak wilt now, for instance, we may recommend immediate removal of the infected tree before the disease can spread to nearby oaks through root grafts or beetle transmission. Late summer is one of the last opportunities to take action before trees go dormant in fall, at which point treatments become less effective or unsafe to apply.
What Homeowners Can Do
The good news is that effective treatments are available. Modern insecticide injections can protect ash trees from emerald ash borer when applied correctly and on schedule. These treatments are most effective on trees that are still healthy or only lightly infested. Once more than half of a tree’s canopy is gone, it is usually too late to save it.
For trees that cannot be saved, timely removal is critical. Dead ash trees quickly become brittle and unstable, posing serious risks to property and safety. At Martin Tree Service, we have safely removed hundreds of ash trees over the years, and we always recommend removing them before they become too hazardous to climb or cut safely.
If you still have ash trees on your property, the first step is to identify them. Our team can confirm whether your tree is an ash and, if so, evaluate its condition. From there, we’ll recommend a plan tailored to your specific situation, whether that means treatment, monitoring, or removal.
Why Acting Now Still Matters
Even after all these years, the emerald ash borer continues to reshape Michigan’s environment. The pest has spread across much of North America, but Michigan remains one of the hardest-hit states. Waiting to act can mean losing a valuable shade tree, paying more for hazardous removals, or watching the pest spread to nearby properties.
For homeowners, protecting ash trees is not just about saving one tree. It’s about preserving the health of the entire landscape. Every healthy, treated ash tree helps slow the spread and maintain the beauty and diversity of our neighborhoods.
Partnering with Professionals You Can Trust
At Martin Tree Service, we understand how personal this issue can be. Many homeowners have watched beloved trees decline and disappear because of the emerald ash borer. That’s why we approach each case with honesty and care. We’ll give you a clear picture of your tree’s condition and your options moving forward. Our certified arborists are trained in the latest treatment methods and safety protocols for both preservation and removal.
Whether you have one ash tree in your yard or a dozen, we can help you make an informed decision about how to protect your property and plan for the future. If treatment is possible, we’ll set up a maintenance schedule that ensures continued protection. If removal is necessary, we’ll do it safely, cleanly, and with respect for your landscape.
Stay Vigilant and Informed
Emerald ash borer may not be new, but it’s still very much part of Michigan’s reality. Staying aware and proactive is the key to keeping your yard safe and healthy. If you’re unsure about the condition of your ash trees or want to know if EAB is active in your neighborhood, reach out to Martin Tree Service for a professional inspection.
Even after decades of battling this pest, the fight isn’t over. But with proper care and expert guidance, you can protect your remaining ash trees and prepare your yard for whatever comes next.
Your trees are an important part of your home, and we’re here to help you protect them. Contact Martin Tree Service today to schedule your inspection and find out if the emerald ash borer is still a threat in your neighborhood.
For expert tree care solutions, trust the professionals at Martin Tree Care. Whether you need stump grinding, tree removal, or general maintenance, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t take chances with DIY methods—let us handle the job safely and efficiently. Contact Martin Tree Care today for reliable, professional tree services in Livingston County!
