🌳 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Treatment via Trunk Injection
Protecting Ash Trees in Rochester, MN
If you’ve recently bought a home in Rochester or Southeast Minnesota, your yard may include one or more ash trees — and those trees are at risk.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that kills ash trees if left untreated. The good news? You can protect your trees with trunk injections of a professional-grade insecticide.
🐛 What Is Emerald Ash Borer?
EAB is a small, metallic green beetle that lays eggs on the bark of ash trees. The larvae tunnel beneath the bark and cut off the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, ultimately killing it within 1–3 years if untreated.
EAB has been present in Olmsted County for over a decade. Nearly all untreated ash trees are now dead or declining.
🏡 New Homeowners: Was Your Ash Tree Treated?
Many ash trees in Rochester, MN were proactively treated in the past. If your property has ash trees, it’s possible the previous homeowner protected them with trunk injections — but those treatments may be due for renewal.
🔍 Here’s how to check:
1. Look for a small metal or plastic tag at eye level.
These are often nailed to the trunk and may include a date or treatment company name.
2. Examine the bark and leaves.
Ash trees have:
Opposite branching (twigs grow in pairs across from each other)
Compound leaves with 5–11 leaflets
Diamond-shaped bark ridges (on mature trees)
💉 How EAB Treatment Works
We protect ash trees using trunk injections of systemic insecticides like emamectin benzoate, which:
Kill EAB larvae under the bark
Provide 2 years of protection
Require no spraying or soil disturbance
Are injected by a Certified Arborist
Trunk injection is the most effective and environmentally friendly way to stop EAB.
🕒 When to Treat
The best time to treat is late spring through midsummer.
Trees should be treated before visible damage occurs.
If your tree was last treated 2–3 years ago, it's time for renewal.
If you’re unsure, we’ll inspect your trees and check for any old tags or drill plugs.
🧪 Do I Really Need to Keep Treating?
Yes. EAB isn’t going away — and treatments don’t last forever.
Once you start protecting your tree, you need to maintain the treatment every 2 years or the insect will return and kill the tree quickly.
📍 Serving Rochester, MN and Surrounding Areas
Earthworks Tree & Garden is based in Rochester, MN and run by an ISA Certified Arborist. As a locally owned tree care company, we offer reliable, science-based EAB treatment backed by ISA standards and a strong commitment to long-term tree health.
📞 Get a Free Inspection
Not sure if your ash tree has been treated or is worth saving?
We’ll come to your home, identify the tree, check for tags or past treatments, and give you honest recommendations.
🔗 Contact us or
📞 Call (507) 202-9308 to schedule an inspection.
