The poison spreads through the trunk, branches and leaves, killing beetles that ingest it. The beetles, usually between an inch or two long, are coal black with white spots and long antennae. Females chew through bark to lay their eggs. When the larvae hatch, they feed inside the tree for more than a year. Eventually they tunnel out, boring holes in the trunks.
Trees weaken and eventually die.
Stern said about half of New York City's 5 million trees are vulnerable to the beetles, which attack hardwoods such as maples, elms, birches, horse chestnuts and poplars. Ths website is designed and maintained in cooperation with HelpForMyWebsite.