A metallic green beetle that feeds on tissues beneath the bark of ash trees — ultimately killing them — the insect is originally from Asia. Because emerald ash borers damage the inside of the tree, signs of infestation aren’t always immediately noticeable. These symptoms include thinning and dying crowns, increased woodpecker activity, small, D-shaped holes where adult beetles exit the tree, excessive sprouting, galleries on the inside of the bark and cream-colored larvae. Infested trees typically die in three to five years. 

Other counties with an emerald ash borer presence include Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, Graham, Madison, Swain and Transylvania. 

North Carolina is under an emerald ash borer quarantine, prohibiting the movement of ash plant parts, emerald ash borer insects, ash nursery stock and all hardwood firewood into non-quarantined areas such as central Tennessee, most of Alabama and all of Florida. 

Learn more about emerald ash borer at www.emeraldashborer.info.