This invasive insect has cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries billions of dollars, and it is responsible for the death of millions of ash trees in at least 25 states and Canada.
An estimated 15% or more of Colorado’s urban and community trees are ash, and many of these trees are located on private property. Ash trees comprise an estimated 15% of the Town of Erie's urban forest, or 11,000 ash trees. Many of these ash trees are quite large and provide significant eco-benefits to the community. EAB infestation is almost always fatal to infested ash trees, unless chemically treated, and infested trees will be dead within approximately four years. EAB is the most destructive forest pest in recorded history.
Once an ash tree is infected, it can become extremely fragile and the likelihood of large branches, or the whole tree, falling onto people or property rises exponentially. Treatment of ash trees or removal of trees is recommended.