Emerald Ash Borer in Huntsville, AL

EAB in Madison County — The Current Status

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) was confirmed in Madison County, Alabama around 2018–2019 and has since spread throughout all of north Alabama. The USDA has removed federal quarantine restrictions because EAB has spread beyond control — which means all ash trees in Huntsville are now at risk. Without treatment, essentially 100% of native ash trees in an EAB-affected area eventually die. Huntsville's urban forest contains thousands of white ash (Fraxinus americana) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) planted as street and landscape trees in the 1970s–1990s — these trees are now universally vulnerable.

Identifying EAB Damage on Ash Trees

EAB adult beetles are 1/2-inch metallic green — rarely seen. Damage signs are more reliable: D-shaped exit holes approximately 3–4mm across (shaped like a capital D, not a circle) in bark; S-shaped larval galleries visible under peeling bark — the serpentine feeding channels that girdle the vascular system; crown thinning starting from the top progressing downward (opposite of most tree diseases); epicormic sprouting along the lower trunk and major limbs — the tree trying to photosynthesize below the infestation; increased woodpecker feeding on upper bark sections; and vertical bark cracking and splitting on heavily infested trees.

Treatment Options for EAB in Huntsville

Two effective systemic insecticide options: Emamectin benzoate trunk injection (TREE-äge, Arbortect) — injected directly into the vascular system every 2–3 years; 90%+ efficacy when tree is less than 30% infested. Cost: $200–$500 per tree depending on trunk diameter. Soil drench with imidacloprid or dinotefuran (Bayer Tree and Shrub, Safari) — applied at the root zone, taken up systemically; lower cost ($40–$100/tree DIY) but less effective on large trees or advanced infestations. Neither treatment reverses existing damage — they protect healthy tissue from further attack. Treatment is cost-effective only if more than 70% of the canopy is intact.

When to Remove an EAB-Infested Ash

Remove when: 50%+ of the canopy has died (treatment will not save the tree); the upper crown is bare with only epicormic growth remaining; exit holes and larval galleries are visible on the lower trunk (late-stage infestation); or the tree is within fall distance of a structure and showing any canopy decline. Dead ash trees deteriorate rapidly — the wood becomes brittle and unpredictable within 2 years of death. An ash that was 'manageable' at $800 can become a $2,500 dangerous-removal job within 18 months. Early action saves money.

EAB Assessment in Madison County

Our certified arborist provides free EAB assessments with every ash removal estimate. We also offer standalone consultations ($150) for homeowners trying to decide whether to treat or remove their ash trees. We serve all of Madison County. Call (256) 203-1967.

Frequently Asked Questions

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