April 10, 2026 • Glass Cities Tree Service Team
Emerald Ash Borer in Northwest Ohio: What Toledo Homeowners Need to Know
If you live in Northwest Ohio, you've seen the skeletal remains of ash trees lining our highways and filling our parks. The culprit is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that has killed millions of trees across the state.
Since its discovery in Ohio in 2003, EAB has transformed the landscape of Lucas, Wood, and Fulton counties. For homeowners with remaining ash trees, the clock is ticking. Understanding your options—treatment or removal—is critical for the safety of your property.
What is the Emerald Ash Borer?
The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. While the adults do little damage, their larvae tunnel under the bark of ash trees, cutting off the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Once infested, an untreated ash tree will typically die within 3 to 5 years.
How to Identify EAB Infestation
Not sure about your tree's health?
Take our free interactive Tree Health Check to identify potential hazards before they become emergencies.
Start Free AssessmentLook for these warning signs in your ash trees:
- Canopy Dieback: The top of the tree begins to thin and die first.
- Epicormic Sprouting: New, small branches (suckers) growing from the base of the trunk or main branches.
- D-Shaped Exit Holes: Small (1/8 inch) holes in the bark where adults have emerged.
- S-Shaped Larval Galleries: Visible patterns under the bark if it begins to peel away.
- Increased Woodpecker Activity: Woodpeckers love EAB larvae and will strip bark away to find them (called "blonding").
Treatment vs. Removal: Making the Choice
If your ash tree is still healthy (less than 30% canopy loss), professional trunk injections can effectively protect it from EAB. These treatments typically need to be repeated every two years.
However, if the tree is already significantly declined, removal is the only safe option. Dead ash trees become extremely brittle very quickly, making them dangerous to climb and more expensive to remove the longer you wait.
What to Do with the Wood?
Because EAB is an invasive species, there are strict rules about moving ash wood. In Northwest Ohio, you should never move firewood outside of your local area to prevent spreading the beetle to new regions. Professional tree services will properly dispose of ash debris according to local regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Worried about your ash trees? Call Glass Cities for a free EAB assessment: 419-555-0199
Get Your Free Tree Service Estimate
We typically respond within the hour.
