The emerald ash borer has been established in the Oshawa area for years now, and I see finished ash trees on nearly every street I work. If you have ash on your property, you need to know whether it can still be saved or whether it needs to come down while it's still safe to climb. I'll assess your tree at no charge and explain exactly what I see.
What emerald ash borer actually involves in Eastdale
The emerald ash borer is a small metallic green beetle, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that was accidentally introduced to North America from Asia. The adult beetle lays eggs in the bark crevices of ash trees, and when the larvae hatch, they tunnel through the wood just beneath the bark, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. This damage happens inside the tree where you can't see it at first, which is why so many ash trees appear healthy one year and are dead the next.
I identify the borer's presence by looking at three things: the crown condition (whether the branches are leafing out normally), the bark surface (where I look for the distinctive D-shaped exit holes the adults leave behind), and the overall vigour of the tree. A healthy ash will have full foliage and tight bark. An infested tree shows thinning branches at the top, peeling bark, and those telltale exit holes. Once I see these signs, I know the borer is already working inside.
Why it matters
Early assessment matters because an ash tree infested with emerald ash borer will decline, and a dead ash becomes a liability. A tree that's been dead for two years becomes brittle. The wood loses its flexibility, and branches snap under their own weight or in wind. If that tree is near your house, your deck, a parked car or a neighbour's property, the risk is real. I've seen dead ash limbs drop without warning, and I've had to refuse work on trees that were too dangerous to climb.
Removing an ash before it dies gives me safe access to the trunk and crown. I can fell it in a controlled way, chip the debris, and haul the wood according to the movement rules that apply in Ontario. Waiting until the tree is dead means paying more, and it means I may have to use equipment that tears up your yard instead of climbing it myself. An early assessment also tells you whether the tree can actually be treated (some can, if caught early enough) or whether removal is the only safe option. That clarity lets you plan and budget properly.
When to schedule emerald ash borer in Oshawa neighbourhoods
Emerald ash borer is active year-round in the wood, but the adults emerge from late spring through early autumn. That's when I see the fresh exit holes and can confirm active infestation. However, you don't need to wait for summer to call me. If you have ash trees and you're wondering about their health, I can assess them any time. In fact, late autumn and winter are quiet seasons for me, and I can often fit in inspections more quickly.
Watch for these signs: thinning foliage starting at the top of the crown, bark that's peeling or splitting, woodpecker damage (they peck into ash to find the larvae), and those small D-shaped holes in the bark. If you see any of these, the tree has likely been infested for at least a year or two already. Don't assume a tree is fine just because it still has leaves. I've assessed trees that looked green from the street but were nearly dead inside. That's why a professional look is worth the phone call.
How it works
When you call me at (289) 512-8441, I'll ask you a few quick questions about the tree, your property layout, and whether you've noticed any of the signs I mentioned. Then I'll arrange a time to come out and look at it myself. I bring my climbing gear and my experience, and I spend time in the crown and at the base examining the bark, the branch structure, and the overall condition.
I'll show you what I see. If the tree is infested but still strong, I'll explain your options, which might include monitoring or treatment in some cases. If it needs to come down, I'll tell you that plainly and explain why. If it's healthy, I'll say so. After I've assessed it, I'll provide a free written estimate for any work you decide to do. If removal is needed, I handle the felling, limbing, chipping, and wood disposal according to Ontario's rules for ash movement. I clean up the site and leave it ready. The whole process from call to completion depends on the tree's size and your schedule, but I work efficiently and I keep the disruption to your yard minimal.
The situations I run into in Harmony
Every ash tree I assess falls into one of a few clear categories, and each has a different path forward.
- Healthy ash with no signs of borer: These trees are fine for now. I recommend checking them every couple of years, especially if you see borers active on other ash in the neighbourhood.
- Early infestation, tree still vigorous: The tree has some exit holes and some branch thinning, but it's still pushing growth. In these cases, we discuss whether treatment is worth attempting or whether removal now is the safer bet. Early removal avoids the risk of a dead tree later.
- Advanced infestation, tree in decline: Heavy exit hole activity, significant crown thinning, peeling bark. The tree is failing. Removal is the only safe option, and I schedule it before the wood becomes too brittle to climb safely.
- Dead ash: No foliage, hard brittle wood, extensive bark loss. These require removal using equipment rather than climbing techniques, which costs more and can damage your yard. This is why early assessment prevents a bigger problem.
