Emerald Ash Borer Information for Homeowners

Does my tree have EAB? (English) (PDF)

Does my tree have EAB? (Spanish) (PDF)

Ash Tree Identification (PDF)

Recognizing Insect Galleries in Ash Trees (PDF)

Insects Commonly Confused with EAB (PDF)

• Don't import materials to Minnesota that could harbor EAB such as firewood and all ash material.
• Don't move firewood unless it's MDA Certified firewood (look for the MDA Certified Seal)
• Remember that it is illegal to move all non-coniferous firewood outside of EAB quarantine areas and into Minnesota. See map of emerald ash borer status in Minnesota.
• Become knowledgeable about recognizing EAB and remain vigilant to the condition of your ash trees.
• Stay informed on EAB by signing up to our monthly Plant Pest Insider e-newsletter.

Manage emerald ash borer, or manage the forest?

Emerald Ash Borer Visual Inspection Guide

MDA's YouTube channel

Homeowner Guide to Insecticide Selection (PDF)

Emerald Ash Borer Insecticide: Label Guidance for Use Limits (PDF)

Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recommends using the Tree Care Registry to begin your search for tree care companies. All tree care providers including companies and persons that provide tree care or trimming services and/or who remove trees, limbs, branches, brush or shrubs for hire in Minnesota are required by state statute to register with the MDA. If you cannot find a specific provider on this list, they are not registered as a Tree Care Service in Minnesota. 

In addition to checking the Tree Care Registry, there are additional steps you can take to ensure that a service provider is properly licensed and insured. Use MDA's Tree Care Checklist when searching for a company. Visit the University of Minnesota Extension page for more information on hiring a tree care company or visit your local communities website to see if they have a list of tree care companies licensed to work in your community.

Whether hiring a tree care professional or performing the work yourself, MDA recommends following the Best Management Practices for EAB.

Firewood Information

EAB Quarantine & Regulatory Information

1.) Contact Report A Pest via our online reporting form, email or by leaving a detailed phone message at 1-888-545-6684. 

2.) Login or create an EDDMapS account and submit a report.

Emerald ash borer is a devastating pest; our choices now for ash trees near an outbreak are either treat or remove. Slowing the actual spread of EAB may mean economic viability for cities that are affected. If nothing is done to slow the spread, EAB can kill all area ash trees in a very short time. Slowing the spread means a city can spend $1 million a year on ash tree removal for eight years, instead of spending $8 million in one year for all the dead trees. Spreading the costs over many years is easier on any city’s budget, and that city’s taxpayers. Another reason is to buy time to let the science catch up: detection methods are improving and more is being learned about EAB weaknesses. Additional research is needed, but it takes time. While it’s unlikely there will be a silver bullet, if scientists can find enough weaknesses in EAB, we may be able to save ash tree species in the U.S.

Ash trees killed by EAB dry out quickly and become hazard trees in less time than after a normal tree death. Hazard trees are trees that can be dangerous because of the possibility of them falling over or large branches breaking off, with a potential to cause personal injury to people. In addition, a recent study by the U.S. Forest Service found that the decrease in tree numbers due to EAB in the Detroit, Michigan area (where EAB started) caused an increase in human mortality related to cardiovascular and respiratory systems.