The emerald ash borer has been detected in five additional Texas counties as the destructive invasive beetle continues expanding its range across the state.
Texas A&M Forest Service confirmed emerald ash borer infestations in Delta, Erath, Hardin, Walker, and Wood counties. Eight Texas counties have been newly confirmed with the pest this year, bringing the total number of counties with EAB infestations to 40. These include several North Texas counties, such as Dallas, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise.
Hardin County’s detection is particularly significant because it marks the current southernmost known boundary of emerald ash borer in the United States. Hardin is located just northwest of Beaumont and encompasses parts of the Big Thicket National Preserve.
“As the current southernmost boundary for this insect in the U.S., Hardin County signals a clear message: where ash trees extend south, this pest has been able to follow,” said Demian Gomez, a Texas A&M Forest Service regional forest health coordinator.
Beetle Threatens All Native Ash Species
Emerald ash borer is an invasive wood-boring beetle native to eastern Asia. It was first detected in North America in 2002 near Detroit, Michigan, and was first confirmed in Texas in Harrison County in 2016.
The beetle has since spread across 36 states and threatens all 16 native ash species in Texas.
Emerald ash borer has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America. The larvae feed beneath the bark, creating winding galleries that interfere with a tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients.
Adult beetles are metallic green and approximately one-half inch long. They typically emerge from ash trees between May and June, depending on environmental conditions.
How To Identify an Infested Ash Tree
Early infestations can be difficult to detect because affected trees may show few or no visible symptoms.
As an infestation progresses, signs can include:
- Thinning or dying branches, particularly near the top of the tree
- Leafy shoots growing from the trunk
- Bark splits that expose S-shaped larval galleries
- Increased woodpecker activity
- D-shaped exit holes in the bark
Ash trees can be identified by their opposite branching pattern and opposite compound leaves. Mature ash trees typically have bark with a distinctive diamond or fishnet pattern.
Anyone who suspects an emerald ash borer infestation can report symptomatic ash trees to the Texas A&M Forest Service at 1-866-322-4512.
Statewide Monitoring Continues
Texas A&M Forest Service uses a statewide monitoring program to track the beetle’s movement. Purple detection traps are deployed during the adult flight season, generally beginning in February or early March and remaining in place through July or August.
Trapping for 2026 has concluded, but officials will continue monitoring for signs of infestation throughout the year.
The agency expects emerald ash borer to continue spreading in and around established areas and is monitoring for additional detections.
Firewood Can Accelerate the Spread
Although emerald ash borer can spread naturally, people can accelerate its movement by transporting infested firewood, logs and other untreated ash products.
Texas A&M Forest Service recommends buying firewood close to where it will be burned and avoiding the long-distance movement of untreated wood.
The agency works with communities, landowners, and industry partners to identify infestations and provide management guidance. It also coordinates with the Texas Department of Agriculture on quarantines designed to restrict the movement of potentially infested wood.
Protecting Valuable Ash Trees
Ash trees play important roles in Texas communities and forests. They provide shade, help manage stormwater, support wildlife, and contribute to urban tree canopies. In Dallas, ash trees account for more than 5% of the city’s canopy cover.
Property owners with ash trees can consider treatment options if they want to preserve valuable trees. Several insecticides are registered for emerald ash borer control, including systemic treatments containing emamectin benzoate.
Tree removal may be necessary for severely infested or declining trees. Because emerald ash borer can survive in dead wood for up to two years, officials caution against transporting infested wood to another location.
Dead or infested ash should instead be properly chipped, burned, or buried where permitted to help prevent the beetle from spreading.
Texas A&M Forest Service also recommends increasing tree diversity when replacing ash trees. Planting a variety of species can reduce the impact of future outbreaks by preventing communities from becoming overly dependent on a single tree species or genus.
As emerald ash borer continues its advance through Texas, officials are urging residents, landowners, and communities to monitor ash trees and take steps to prevent the movement of infested wood.
Provided by Dallas Express
