The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle that kills ash trees. Infestations of EAB have been found in NY State, but no infestation has been identified in NYC. The Parks Department and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation are monitoring areas as part of a pre-emptive effort to control the spread of the EAB beetle.

Purple prism traps are hung in a handful of ash trees throughout the city and checked one time during the summer to detect if the EAB beetle is present.