Ash Tree Sudden Death, with Borer Holes - Ask Extension
An ash in my neighborhood just suddenly died, leaves suddenly turned brown and fell off. When I inspected the tree I noticed borer holes and sawdust a...
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Ash Tree Sudden Death, with Borer Holes #143889
Asked July 29, 2013, 12:45 PM EDT
An ash in my neighborhood just suddenly died, leaves suddenly turned brown and fell off. When I inspected the tree I noticed borer holes and sawdust at the base of the tree. I did not notice anything wrong with this try prior to today. It is not in my yard, but I drive by it several times a day.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
This damage is from the lilac ash borer. This insect attacks stressed trees. If you look closely at the base of the tree, you'll see it has a sort of "pinched in" look. I suspect that the tree has a girdling root, which, over time, affects the movement of nutrients and water within the tree. It also appears to have been planted too deep. I think these combination of stresses are what led to the tree's demise. The insect is sort of the straw that broke the camel's back.
Here is a CSU fact sheet on borers affecting shade trees:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05530.html
Here is a CSU fact sheet on borers affecting shade trees:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05530.html
