ISA Certified Arborist Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Resource for Comprehensive Exam Success!

The emerald ash borer is a highly destructive pest that specifically targets ash trees and can have severe implications for urban and forest ecosystems. This pest has gained notoriety due to its rapid spread and the significant damage it causes, not only killing ash trees but also disrupting local biodiversity and impacting the timber industry.

Ash trees are a common component of many landscapes, and the introduction of the emerald ash borer has led to widespread mortality among these trees. Its larvae feed on the inner bark, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, which ultimately leads to the tree's decline and death. The extensive impact on various ash species, as well as its potential to affect related tree species through increased susceptibility to other pests and diseases, solidifies the emerald ash borer's status as a common and significant tree pest.

While other pests listed may affect tree species, none have the same level of ecological and economic impact as the emerald ash borer, particularly concerning the vast number of ash trees affected across large geographic areas.