DEARBORN — The city’s Parks Division is urging all Dearborn property owners to take immediate steps to protect any ash trees on their properties against the spread of the pest known as the emerald ash borer.

A type of beetle, the insect has damaged or killed hundreds of thousands of ash trees in southeastern Michigan. Technically known as agrilus planipennis, the species is native to China and other Asian countries. Although the pest has been damaging trees in the United States for up to five years, scientists’ efforts to positively identify the emerald ash borer did not succeed until last year.

Experts are recommending that ash tree owners take steps to treat their trees with a special insect control product in order to prevent the beetle from damaging them.

"This is a serious problem in the region, and we urge our citizens to respond to it," said Kurt Giberson, director of Dearborn’s Department of Public Works (DPW). "In fact, because of the situation, in this case we’re waiving the requirement for property owners to get a permit before treating city-owned ash trees on their properties against the emerald ash borer."

Property owners are urged to treat any ash trees on their land, whether they belong to the owner or to the city. In residential areas, city-owned trees are typically located in the easement between the street and the sidewalk.

Parks Division tree care specialists estimate that there are about 4,200 city-owned ash trees in Dearborn. Property owners who have questions about whether trees located on their properties are owned by the city are invited to call the Parks Division at 943-2317.

Based on information provided by Michigan State University, the Parks Division recommends that property owners protect their ash trees against the emerald ash borer by purchasing and applying he following product: Bayer Advanced Garden Tree & Shrub Insect Control. It is available at most stores that carry Bayer tree and garden care products.

Property owners are urged to treat all ash trees on their property, whether the trees show any signs of the presence of the emerald ash borer or not. One application of the Bayer product will protect a tree for up a year. Property owners are urged to follow product directions carefully.

Trees affected by the emerald ash borer may exhibit some of the following symptoms:

• Thinning or yellowing foliage.

• A proliferation of succulent shoots developing on the trunk of the tree, the trunk-root "collar" area or on "scaffold" branches.

• Intense woodpecker activity on the tree, as the birds search for the beetles to eat them.

• Signs of insect tunneling beneath the tree’s bark.

• Signs of D-shaped emergence holes on the trunk or branches.

• Death of tree branches or death of the entire tree.

Dearborn property owners who have any questions about identifying ash trees on their properties, determining the presence of emerald ash borers or how to protect trees against the pest can call the Parks Division at 943-2317.