The Emerald Ash Borer

Intro

You ever just know something’s off with your tree, but can’t quite put your finger on it? That’s kinda how it goes with emerald ash borers. They’re small. Sneaky. And by the time most folks notice them, the damage is already well underway.

If you live in Louisville and you’ve got ash trees, yeah—it’s worth paying attention.

So, What Even Is an Emerald Ash Borer?

Tiny green beetle. Looks harmless. Isn’t. It came over from Asia and decided it likes Kentucky just fine. Now, it’s chewing through ash trees like there’s no tomorrow—starting under the bark where you can’t see a thing.

The larvae? That’s the real trouble. They burrow in and cut off nutrients from moving through the tree. Slowly, quietly, they choke it out from the inside. Brutal.

What to Watch For

Most folks don’t notice until it’s pretty far along. But there are clues—if you’re looking:

• Leaves thinning in weird spots

• Branches dying back, especially near the top

• Tiny little D-shaped holes in the bark

• Woodpeckers suddenly obsessed with your tree

Honestly? The birds often spot the issue before we do.

Here’s What We Do at New Leaf

First, we don’t guess. We inspect. Up close. Then we walk you through what we see—no jargon, no pressure. If it’s early enough, there are treatments we can use to protect the tree. If it’s too far gone, we talk next steps.

Sometimes that means removing the tree (yeah, not fun) to keep the others safe. Either way, we’re in it with you.

Why It Matters to More Than Just You

Losing one tree is tough. Losing half the block’s ash trees? That hits the whole neighborhood—shade, property value, even the vibe of your street.

This pest doesn’t stay in one yard. It spreads. So the sooner we catch it, the better chance we all have at keeping our canopy intact.

Wrapping Up

If you’ve got ash trees and haven’t had them checked lately, now’s the time. No scare tactics here. Just friendly advice and solid help if you need it.

We’re locals. We know what these trees mean to people. And we’re doing our best to protect them, one yard at a time.

Tree Joke of the Day

Why did the ash tree hire security?
Because it heard the borers were back in town.