If you have ash trees on your property here in the Detroit Lakes area, there is a conversation we need to have right now. Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in counties surrounding Becker County and is moving northward. The window to protect your trees is open — but it will not stay open forever.

What Is Emerald Ash Borer?

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive beetle originally from Asia. Since arriving in the United States in 2002, it has killed tens of millions of ash trees across the country. Minnesota has the highest volume of ash trees in the entire United States — which means the stakes here are particularly high.

The damage is done by the larvae. After adult beetles lay eggs in the bark, the larvae burrow into the tree and feed on the inner tissue that carries water and nutrients. As those feeding tunnels accumulate, the tree is gradually starved. Once symptoms become visible, an untreated tree typically dies within one to three years.

EAB attacks all species of North American ash. Once an ash tree is attacked by EAB, it will be killed if it is not protected.

University of Minnesota Extension — Emerald Ash Borer

How to Tell If You Have an Ash Tree

Before you can protect your trees, you need to know what you have. Ash trees have three identifying characteristics:

Opposite branching — branches grow directly across from each other on the stem, not alternating.

Compound leaves — each leaf stem holds five to nine individual leaflets.

Diamond-pattern bark — mature ash trees develop a distinctive interlocking ridge pattern on the trunk.

If you are still unsure, give us a call. Our ISA Certified Arborist can identify your trees and assess their condition during a site visit.

Warning Signs of EAB Infestation

EAB spends most of its life cycle beneath the bark, which makes early detection difficult. By the time a tree looks obviously sick, infestation is often well advanced. Watch for these specific signs:

Crown dieback — thinning and dying branches starting at the top of the tree and progressing downward.

D-shaped exit holes — small, distinctly D-shaped holes approximately one-eighth inch wide in the bark where adult beetles have emerged.

Woodpecker activity — heavy woodpecker feeding on the trunk is a strong indicator. Birds are searching for EAB larvae beneath the bark and will often strip large sections of outer bark in the process.

S-shaped galleries — if you peel back a section of bark on a suspected tree, the winding S-shaped feeding tunnels left by larvae are a definitive confirmation.

If you are seeing any of these signs on your ash trees in the Detroit Lakes area, do not wait. Call us for an assessment.

Why Acting Now Matters in Becker County

EAB has been confirmed in multiple surrounding counties and is actively spreading into our region. The Minnesota DNR recommends beginning insecticide treatments when emerald ash borer has a moderate to high risk of damaging your ash tree — and notes that the most effective insecticides are injected directly into the trunk.

Treatment is most effective on healthy trees or trees in early stages of infestation. A tree that has lost more than half of its canopy is generally past the point where treatment can save it — at which point removal becomes the only option, and a dead or dying ash tree is significantly more expensive and dangerous to take down than a healthy one.

Minnesota DNR — Emerald Ash Borer Management

The right time to treat is before your tree is visibly suffering.

How We Treat EAB at Miller Yard Care

We use TREE-äge (emamectin benzoate), a professional-grade insecticide administered by direct trunk injection. It is one of the most effective EAB treatments available and is specifically recommended for larger trees. Our treatments are performed by our ISA Certified Arborist and come with a two-year guarantee.

Trunk injection is minimally invasive, requires no spraying, and gets the active ingredient directly into the tree's vascular system where it needs to be. Pricing is based on the diameter of the tree, measured at breast height.

If you have ash trees on your property and want to know whether treatment makes sense — or whether it is already too late — a site assessment is the right first step.

Learn more about our EAB treatment service here.

Or call us directly at (218) 849-9794.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if EAB is already in my area of Becker County? A: EAB has been confirmed in multiple surrounding counties and is considered an active threat throughout the region, particularly in southern Becker County. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture maintains an interactive EAB status map at mda.state.mn.us that tracks confirmed locations.

Q: Can a tree be saved if it is already infested? A: It depends on the extent of the infestation. Trees that have lost less than half their canopy can often be successfully treated and preserved. Trees with significant crown dieback or more than 50 percent canopy loss are generally not candidates for treatment.

Q: How long does a treatment last? A: Our TREE-äge trunk injection treatments are guaranteed for two years. Most treated trees require retreatment every two to three years to maintain protection.

Q: What does treatment cost? A: Pricing is based on the diameter of your tree. Contact us for a quote — we assess each tree individually.