The Emerald Ash Borer is a green metallic beetle that feeds on the tissues that are beneath the bark of ash trees, killing the trees. The beetle is native to different parts in Asia.

It has killed many trees in the U.S. It kills the tree when adult beetles lay eggs on the bark of the tree, the eggs hatch and eat the tissue of the tree. The trees are very important because we use it to make things like baseball bats, bows, and tool handles.

“I hope the beatles don’t kill all the ash tree tissues,” Abigail Kennedy (09) said.  

In Tennessee, it has been found in 47 out of the 95 state counties. It has doubled since 2013. Homeowners are getting affected also. One man had to pay up to $5,000 to get rid of 4 dead ash trees in his land.

There are many trees in public and private property. It is spreading very fast and it is uncontrollable. It is hard to see if the tree is affected. The US is trying to create a beetle that could stop the Emerald Ash Borer from killing the ash trees. This could be the solution.