Check your trees

August is Tree Check Month. The USDA is aksing homeowners and professionals to spot the Asian longhorned beetle before it spots your trees.

The USDA says: "The best line of defense against this devastating pest is you. Take 10 minutes and check your trees for the beetle and any signs of damage it causes."

Check for these signs:

* Dime-sized exit holes

* Shallow scars in bark

* Sawdust-like material on ground or tree branches

* Dead brances

* The beetle itself

Trees at risk of attack include ash, birch, elm, golden raintree, hackberry, horsechestnut, katsura, maple, mimosa, mountain ash, London planetree, poplar and willow.

Report any sightings to www.asianlonghornedbeetle.com.