Tree Species for Planting in Asian Longhorned and Emerald Ash Borer Beetle Areas

The table of tree species that do well in urban environments and are NOT hosts for Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) or emerald ash borer (EAB) has been revised recently. The table provides a starting point for identifying potential trees species to plant in areas impacted by these two pests. Tree planting, whether a replacement or new, is critical in helping communities provide valuable tree cover for aesthetics, clean air, stormwater reductions, and wildlife habitat.

Asian longhorned beetle

ALB and EAB have had a significant impact on communities in the Northeastern and Midwestern US.  Numerous requests have been received from communities for a list of trees that do well in urban environments and are not ALB or EAB host trees.  To develop this list, the Forest Service combined all the recommended replacement trees for areas where ALB has been found and added information on EAB tree replacement from the Michigan State University website. Information about each tree species was compiled from numerous references which are listed in The Replacement Tree Table. Drafts of the table were sent to urban forestry professionals for review. The table was edited using their suggestions.

Emerald ash borer

  
To promote species diversity, the Forest Service included many trees that do well in urban areas but realize the table does not include every non-host tree species. Users of The Replacement Tree Table are encouraged to use this as a starting reference for potential replacement trees. The list will then need to be narrowed by researching the species that best fit your specific site characteristics.