Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

This project has been funded in part by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Poughkeepsie Ash Tree Program

The emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia, is firmly established among the ash trees of the City of Poughkeepsie. The map below was created by the Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns using revised data from The City of Poughkeepsie Shade Tree Commission's 2006 Street Tree Survey. Trees are classified as EAB-infested, Symptomatic of EAB, or Asymptomatic. More than half of all ash trees in the City display symptoms of EAB infestation, while about 9% show definitive signs of EAB colonization. Click on points to find out more information about the individual trees in your area.

Our efforts to control the Emerald Ash Borer infestation gained some national media coverage on a recent episode of PRI Public Radio International.

EAB Invasion

Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in the United States in 2002 after arriving in packing materials from Asia. This Emerald Ash Borer in North America: A Research and Regulatory Challenge (PDF) outlines the history of EAB invasion as well as information on the beetle itself and its potential impacts on North American ash populations, as well as the challenges associated with its management.

What to Look For

The City of Poughkeepsie is home to almost 400 ash trees. Before we can look out for further signs of EAB infestation, we have to know how to identify ash trees themselves!

Emerald ash borers are tiny yet very distinct insects. If you want to know what to look out for, or you think you've spotted one and want to verify your ID, check out the Identifying EAB resource from the New York Invasive Species Information website.

We usually see the evidence left behind by EAB rather than the beetle itself. There are several unmistakable signs of EAB infestation on ash trees. Learn to recognize them with A Visual Guide to Detecting Emerald Ash Borer Damage (PDF), and please report signs of insect damage when observed.

Insecticide Treatments

If an ash tree still appears healthy in the midst of an EAB infestation, there may still be time to protect it from insect damage using insecticides. Refer to the Insecticide Options for Protecting Trees from Emerald Ash Borer for information about the various types of available insecticide treatments.

Unfortunately, some insecticides may have undue effects on non-target organisms, such as pollinators or birds. This FAQ document (PDF) answers some of the most common questions about the risks of insecticides used for EAB treatment.

Your Ash Tree

Is my ash tree worth treating for Emerald Ash Borer? Maybe you have an ash tree on your property, which is up to you to treat (or not). Learn about how, when, and why to treat your ash.

My ash tree is dead, now what do I do? Did the ash on your property die? Here are the next steps you can take for its removal (PDF), as well as some suggestions for ash lumber uses.

Ash Wood Regulations & Quarantines

Refer to the NYS DEC: EAB Regulations and Quarantines to learn about the Department of Environmental Conservation's regulations for moving ash wood, and how these regulations and quarantines will affect you.