Emerald Ash Borer Overview

What You Need to Know About EAB

What is it?

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly destructive, non-native invasive beetle responsible for killing more than 100 million ash trees throughout the United States. 

Recently detected in Colorado, EAB is a threat to the more than 800 street and public area ash trees in Berthoud.

Town of Berthoud Prevention and Mitigation Efforts

  • EAB Management Plan outlines treatment procedures
  • Cost-sharing pilot program that will assist homeowners in treating and replacing ash trees located in street rights-of-ways. Begins in 2018, per the approved annual budget.
  • Deploying traps around the community to collect data in trees
  • Removing selectively chosen ash trees to lessen risk
  • Replacing removed trees with a variety of other species
  • Using other treatment resources to manage remaining ash trees in Town
  • General assessment of condition, inventoried and numbered all parks and public area rights of way ash trees
  • Community outreach and wrapping green marking tape around the trunks of some parks ash trees to bring awareness to EAB

What to Look for as a Resident

  • Determine if you have ash trees on your property
  • Sparse leaves or branches in the upper part of the tree
  • Vertical splits in the bark
  • Winding s-shaped galleries under the bark
  • Increased woodpecker activity
  • New sprouts on the lower trunk or lower branches
  • Adult EAB insects on leaves


  1. EAB Response Plan

This EAB Management and Response Plan is intended to provide best management practices for Town of Berthoud Staff as well as residents within the Town to reference as needed. Along with providing information regarding identification and management options, this document is also intended to educate the public about EAB. This integrated plan is ongoing and subject to change as new infestations are discovered, new practices are developed, and new literature/resources are published. As Town Staff and the Tree Advisory Committee develop greater understandings of current issues and future proposals, alterations to this document will be updated and/or revised, ultimately modifying and improving the overall health, diversity, and longevity of Berthoud's urban forest.


  1. Ash Tree Treatment Program
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