Protect your trees from the Emerald Ash Borer; "It wipes out the entire ash population"

MILWAUKEE -- Trees make for a beautiful landscape, but one green beetle is threatening all species of ash trees.

"Once it's discovered in an area it wipes out the entire ash population within 12 years," said First Choice Tree Care President Ken Ottman.

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive pest from Asia.

It was first discovered in Detroit and it has now infested the majority of trees in southeastern Wisconsin.

"It will invade the tree, eat the water conducting tissues of the tree, and literally block water and nutrients from moving from the root system to the leaves," said Ottman.

There are many warning signs to look for to determine whether your tree is healthy or infested.

First you can look for dead branches at the top of the tree. There will also be woodpecker damage as woodpeckers eat the Emerald Ash Borer, and you'll see branches sprouting where you wouldn't normally see them on the tree.

To prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, quarantines are in effect in 37 counties in Wisconsin including Milwaukee.

"Quarantined merely means you can't move the material out of those areas. So you can't move firewood or logs or things of that nature," said Ottman.

But there is a way you can potentially save your tree, by injecting it with a chemical called Tree-Age.

"It attacks the beetle inside the tree and kills it in place and protects against future intrusion by the beetle into the tree," said Ottman.

Arborists are saying now is the time to take action before it's too late.

For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer and how to save your ash trees CLICK HERE.