Got an ash tree? You’ll want to read this. There’s a tiny, uninvited guest spreading through Central Illinois, and it’s turning healthy, happy trees into dry, brittle stumps. Fast.
It’s called the Emerald Ash Borer, and yeah, it sounds kind of fancy. But trust us, this little metallic green beetle has wrecked more trees than we can count, and it’s not slowing down.
First Off… What Is This Thing?
Think of the Emerald Ash Borer like the worst kind of party crasher. It’s small, shiny, and sneaky. Looks like it should be harmless. Isn’t.
It shows up, lays eggs on ash trees, and when those hatch? The larvae burrow inside and start chewing through the tree’s life support system. The water and nutrients? Cut off. The top of the tree? Starts dying. And by the time you realize what’s going on… it’s often too late.
How to Know Something’s Off
Here’s the thing, these beetles don’t exactly announce their arrival. Your tree won’t keel over overnight. But it will start dropping hints if you’re paying attention:
- Bare branches up top – Looks like it’s trying to give up early.
- Bark peeling or splitting – Not just weather damage, could mean bugs underneath.
- Tiny D-shaped holes – Weird, right? But those little notches are beetle exit holes. Gross.
- Woodpeckers on overdrive – Birds suddenly obsessed with your tree? They’re not admiring the view, they’re hunting larvae.
If you’ve got one or two of these signs? Time to act. If you’ve got all of them? Yeah… it’s probably bad.
Can You Save a Tree That’s Already Hit?
Maybe. Depends on how far it’s gone.
If your ash tree still has most of its canopy, and it’s not showing signs of collapse, we can try a treatment. We use a trunk injection, goes straight into the tree’s system and kills the larvae from the inside. Doesn’t hurt the tree. Doesn’t hurt anything else in the yard.
But timing is everything. Wait too long, and treatment won’t do a thing. That’s why spring’s the sweet spot, right when the tree’s pulling water and nutrients.
When to Say Goodbye (Even If It Hurts)
We hate cutting down trees. Really. But there’s a moment where keeping one up does more harm than good. And ash trees? Once they’re infected, they don’t hang on for long.
They go brittle. Fast. Limbs drop without warning. And trying to remove a dead one? It’s dangerous, not just for you, but for anyone standing nearby.
So if your tree looks half gone already, don’t wait for it to fall over in the next storm. We’ll help you take it down cleanly, and safely.
Should You Try to Handle This Yourself?
Short answer: Not really.
Long answer: Maybe… if you really know what you’re doing.
You can try DIY if:
- It’s a small tree and still healthy
- You’re using preventive treatment (not trying to save a dying one)
- You actually read the label and follow timing guides
Skip it if:
- The tree’s tall or near anything you care about (like a roof)
- You’re not 100% sure it’s EAB
- You’re thinking of removing it with a chainsaw and a friend from high school
We’ve seen what happens when DIY goes wrong. It’s not pretty. Sometimes it’s expensive. Sometimes it’s dangerous.
Q&A with the Tree Crew
Can a sick tree bounce back?
Sometimes, yeah. If we catch it early. The sooner the better.
How long do treatments last?
About two years. Then we reassess.
What if the neighbor’s tree has it?
Time to move fast. These beetles don’t care whose name is on the mailbox.
Is removal pricey?
Depends on the size and how tricky the tree is. We’ll give you the straight numbers upfront.
Can I replant something else?
Absolutely. Lots of beautiful, low “issue” trees to choose from that won’t attract bugs like EAB.
What You Can Do Today
- Walk your yard. Check your trees.
- Not sure if it’s an ash? We can help ID it.
- Notice weird thinning or bark splitting? Don’t wait.
- Call us before limbs start falling on the lawnmower.
The Bottom Line
This beetle isn’t going away. But that doesn’t mean you have to lose your tree, or your patience.
At Leveled Up Tree Service, we’re not about drama. We’re about showing up, telling you what’s really going on, and helping you figure out the next step. Whether that means saving your ash tree or giving it a graceful exit, we’ve got you covered.
Got questions? Weird tree stuff going on? Just ask.
We’ll take care of it.
