Emerald Ash​ Borer Beetle Found In Cambridge, DCR Officials Warn

CAMBRIDGE, MA — An invasive species of beetle known to ravage Ash trees was found in Cambridge, Department of Conservation and Rec officials announced Thursday and recommended residents check to see if they have Ash trees on their property and take steps to protect them.

"Doing nothing may put you and your property at unnecessary risk," DCR officials said in the release.

DCR officials said Emerald Ash Borer beetles were found in Cambridge on Monday, August 20. The beetle is particularly concerning because of the speed at which it kills Ash trees, in as little as a year or two.

Standing dead ash trees present a public safety risk due to how quickly their brittle branches will fail, city officials warned.

If you have an Ash tree, Cambridge officials recommend you start removing dead and dying trees and a treatment plan for the tree, if you haven't already.

"If you have not yet begun a treatment program, we recommend that you work with a certified arborist to develop an ongoing treatment plan for your Ash tree. It is far more cost-effective to treat a healthy Ash tree than it is to remove it," DCR said in a release.

Not sure what an Ash Tree looks like? According to University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Tree Guide, Ash trees have four identifying features:

1. Ash trees have compound leaves comprised of 7 to 11 leaflets.
2. The twigs are smooth, rigid and grayish and resemble bones
3. The bark of mature trees is deeply furrowed
4. They have opposing branches

The city has worked to protect Healthy Ash trees on city property, including street trees, from the beetle through proactive treatments of TreeAzin throughout the past three years. TreeAzin is a product derived from seed extracts of the Neem tree and is administered by injection at the trunk of the tree. TreeAzin is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute for use in organic production in the U.S. This pesticide is not hazardous to humans or animals.

Cambridge was the first municipality in New England to develop a comprehensive treatment strategy to protect the ash tree population on city property, according to officials.

Read more about the Emerald Ash Borer:

Invasive Species: Animals - Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

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Photo of Cambridge City Hall by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff