Emerald Ash Borer Spreads Into New U.S. Regions

By AI, Created 11:25 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The invasive beetle that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees is moving into Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota and parts of Minnesota, sharpening pressure on property owners and city foresters. Save The Ash Tree Co. says the best chance to protect infected trees comes before visible decline sets in.

Why it matters: - The Emerald Ash Borer is still expanding its reach, and new infestations raise the risk of more ash tree loss in cities, suburbs and rural areas. - Once an ash tree is heavily damaged, removal can cost several thousand dollars for a single large tree. - Municipalities and property owners face a narrow window to act before treatment becomes ineffective.

What happened: - Save The Ash Tree Co. said the Emerald Ash Borer is actively spreading into Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota and communities across Minnesota. - The company said it is now accepting service inquiries in the Dallas–Fort Worth metro, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas City and additional Minnesota markets. - The Minneapolis-based company serves residential, commercial and municipal clients.

The details: - The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle blamed for the deaths of hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America. - Kenny Anderson, founder of Save The Ash Tree Co., said many people do not realize the beetle is present until a tree is dead or dying. - Anderson said the insect lives under the bark for years while the tree loses its ability to move water and nutrients. - Common signs of infestation include canopy dieback starting at the top of the tree, increased woodpecker activity, vertical bark splits, D-shaped exit holes about 1/8 inch wide and S-shaped feeding galleries under peeling bark. - Property owners often notice the problem during routine trimming or after the tree has died. - Ash trees can be identified by opposite compound leaves, diamond-patterned bark and paddle-shaped seeds. - Trunk injection has shown strong results when applied before infestation becomes advanced. - The method delivers insecticide into the tree’s vascular system and does not require spraying. - The company says trunk injection poses minimal risk to surrounding plants, pollinators or people. - Trees that are already heavily infested or in significant decline may be beyond effective treatment. - Save The Ash Tree Co. is a specialty tree injection company headquartered in Minneapolis and focused exclusively on protecting ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer. - The company said it uses targeted trunk injection to place insecticide directly into the tree’s vascular system without aerial spraying or broad environmental exposure. - The company included its website, More information, in the release. - The release also listed company social accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The release frames early detection as the key variable, not just tree health. - That matters because ash trees can look fine for years while internal damage advances out of view. - The company’s pitch is built around intervention before canopy thinning becomes obvious. - The message also reflects a broader urban forestry problem: many residents do not know which trees they own until a removal decision is already unavoidable.

What’s next: - Save The Ash Tree Co. is expanding service in new regions as the beetle moves farther across the U.S. - Property owners in affected markets may need to inspect ash trees sooner rather than later to preserve treatment options. - Municipal foresters are likely to keep facing removal and treatment decisions as infestations spread.