Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a beetle that infests and kills North American ash trees. The Emerald Ash Borer was first identified in New York City in October 2017.

With an estimated 121,000 ash trees in parks and on sidewalks across New York City, NYC Parks is taking action to limit the infestation and to preserve as many ash trees as possible.

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle that can be found on trees.

Caring for Ash Trees

To help manage the infestation and preserve our ash trees, we are:

  • treating our healthy ash trees in order to preserve as much of our tree canopy as possible.
  • removing ash trees that will not benefit from treatment over the next eight to 10 years.
  • replacing the lost ash trees with other species that will thrive in our urban environment.
  • collecting seeds from specimen ash trees and preserving them for the future.

To learn more about Ash Trees please refer to the NYBG Field Guide to the Ash Trees of Northeastern United States.

Signs of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

An Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation can be characterized by a combination of the following:

  • a thin canopy
  • sprouts on the trunks of the trees
  • small, D-shaped exit holes in the bark
  • woodpecker activity
Swirly markings on the inner bark of the tree show signs of Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

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An uppercase D-shaped exit hole in the bark of the tree is sign of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

Report a Suspected Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

Found an ash tree with signs of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation? Let us know! You can report a suspected case of EAB infestation of street and park ash trees, or ash trees located on natural areas.

Report an Infestation of a Street Tree

Please submit a Hazardous/Poor Condition Tree Service Request by selecting the tree on our NYC Street Tree Map. Please select "this tree is unhealthy and hollow" and indicate, in the Additional Information section, that you are reporting an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) sighting. You may also report a sighting by calling 311. 

Report an Infestation of Park Tree

Please submit a Hazardous/Poor Condition Tree Service Request through our Tree Service Request page. Please select "this tree is unhealthy and hollow" and indicate, in the Additional Information section, that you are reporting an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) sighting. You may also report a sighting by calling 311.

Report an Infestation of a Tree on Private Property

Please complete the survey form on the DEC website, or report the sighting through iMapInvasives .

For questions regarding the treatment process of our ash trees, please email forest.health@nyc.parks.gov.