Emerald Ash Borer Recommendations and Resources
Ash Tree Identification
The diamond patterned bark on older ash trees.
(Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org)
Compound leaves (group of leaflets) of an ash tree.
(Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org)
Before taking any action based on these recommendations, make sure you are working with ash trees. Ash trees can be identified by the following:
- Branches, leaves and buds are directly opposite from one another rather than staggered
- Each leaf is compound, made up of 5-11 leaflets
- Bark has a distinct pattern of diamond-shaped ridges, although the bark on smaller ash trees is often smoother
Resource Guides
- For property owners
- For municipalities
- For the wood products industry
- For rural forest owners
- For educators
For Property Owners
Treatment Information
There are systemic insecticides on the market, but their effectiveness varies greatly and they can be expensive. The decision to treat individual trees is a personal preference, but consumers should educate themselves and use caution when purchasing products that claim to protect trees against EAB. See treatment information from the Emerald Ash Borer Information Network (PDF - leaves DEC website) for more information about treating trees against EAB.
Diversity is Key
In general, having a diversity of species in your yard, on your street, or in your community is your best defense against all tree health problems. If ash comprises 10 percent or more of the tree species in your local area, it would be best to choose an alternative.
How You Can Help
Stop. Learn. Plan. Then act. Acting without understanding the specific threat to your trees, regulations and quarantines, and your options, could cause the unnecessary loss of treasured shade trees, or loss of substantial income from your woodlot.
Do not move firewood. Follow the New York State Firewood Regulation and purchase or cut firewood from the same general location where you plan to use it. When camping or at a cabin, do not take any leftover firewood home with you.
DEC Guidance
DEC can confirm if signs of tree damage are from EAB and provide tree removal information, but there are no DEC programs to assist landowners with tree removal. If you believe you have found EAB outside of a known infestation area in NY, you may contact DEC.
For Municipalities
Municipalities need to be prepared for the possibility of the emerald ash borer (EAB) infesting community ash trees. Check out the Community Preparedness Plan Workbook from Cornell University Cooperative Extension by visiting the CCE website and search "Emerald Ash Borer - Community Preparedness" (leaves DEC Website).
For the Wood Products Industry
Ash Timber Product Resources
For wood products industry technical assistance, contact DEC's Forest Utilization Program at (518) 402-9428.
- Primary wood processor directory - sorted by county - See "Mills with Wood-Fired Boilers" section in appendix
- Secondary wood processor directory - sorted by county
Moving Ash Wood Responsibly
The following guidelines establish best management practices that are adequate and reasonable precautions in order to comply with Part 575 with regards to EAB and in the absence of EAB quarantine or restricted zones. These guidelines only apply to movement of ash wood within New York. Any applicable Federal regulations still apply to interstate and international movement. Additionally, these guidelines do not impact or apply to DEC's firewood regulation, 6 NYCRR Part 192.5, which limits the movement of firewood of all species.
- During the active period for EAB adults, May 1 through August 31:
- Leave on site any ash wood, firewood or logs that are visibly infested by EAB; OR
- Remove and leave on site all bark and at least the outermost 1" of wood from all ash trees, wood, firewood or logs that is visibly infested by EAB before transporting the remainder for utilization or disposal; OR
- Chip ash material to 1" size chips in two of three dimensions; OR
- Notify all recipients that there is a risk of infestation from this material and it should be burned, chipped, sawed into lumber, or heat treated as soon as practicable; AND
- Process ash logs by de-barking and chipping or sawing within 72 hours of receipt at the processing facility.
- During the dormant period for EAB adults, September 1 through April 30:
- Transport ash firewood or logs to a kiln or mill, after September 1 for processing before May 1; OR
- Cut and season ash firewood at its place of origin for 12 months before distribution; OR
- Chip ash material to 1" size chips in two of three dimensions; AND
- Notify all recipients that there is a risk of infestation from this material and it should be burned, chipped, sawed into lumber, or heat treated by May 1.
For Rural Forest Owners
Preparing for EAB
Ash Tree Marketing Resources
Who Can Help Give Guidance
For Educators
- Buy it Where you Burn it Poster, English (leaves DEC website) (8.5" x 11")
- Buy it Where you Burn it Poster, Spanish (leaves DEC website) (8.5"x 11")
- Emerald ash borer mask craft (for 6-12 year olds) (leaves DEC website)
- Educational invasive insect video (leaves DEC website) - An educational video guide for forest landowners, recreationists and outdoor enthusiasts. Learn about the problems of invasive insects, how to spot them and what to do if you should detect some of these non-native forest pests.
- Educator's guide from Purdue University (leaves DEC website)
- US Forest Service pest alert (leaves DEC website)
- Don't Move Firewood webpage by The Continental Dialogue on non-native forest insects and diseases (leaves DEC website)
