As we discussed in our previous post, the pest Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is the single most destructive factor for ash trees. Unfortunately, their reach is expanding. More and more trees are being infested by EAB and we need to do something about it. The first EAB infestation was discovered near Detroit, Michigan in 2002. Today, EAB has infected millions of trees in 31 states in the US and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
How Does EAB Spread?
There are two main ways that EAB spreads. The first is by the natural reproduction methods of the species, whereby adult specimens lay their larvae in neighboring ash trees who then reach maturity within those trees and then lay their larvae in neighboring trees as so forth. The second is by people unknowingly carrying infested ash firewood to a region that didn’t previously have EAB and thus introducing those new ash trees to the pest.
What Can You Do?
- Spread awareness about this growing EAB problem. Share this blog post, talk about your ash trees with your neighbors, friends and family
- Study this map of the federal quarantine boundaries to know which areas are most affected by the EAB infestation, and more importantly, which areas are not affected so you don’t unknowingly transport infected wood into those regions. The red borders show the areas you can’t transport wood out of without a permit. For peace of mind, Always source wood locally.
- Get your trees sprayed. Even if you are in an infested zone and your ash trees can’t be saved, you should still consider getting them treated. Treating the tree may not save it, but it will kill the EAB, which means they can’t infect another tree.
What Can We Do?
As your local lawn experts, we pride ourselves on staying up to date on all new information about invasive species and all their treatment options. In particular with EAB on ash trees, the damage has been devastating and we are happy to be part of the solution.
Our Services Include:
- Soil Drench
The product is mixed with water and then pouring the solution directly on the soil around the base of the trunk or injected a few inches below ground at multiple locations near the base of the tree. This solution is then taken in through the roots and moves throughout the tree. - Bark Injection
Product is injected directly into the trunk of the tree by drilling through the bark and into the outer sapwood at the base of the tree. This method is the most versatile as it allows for the treatment of trees where soil treatments may not be possible, like trees growing in wet, sandy or restricted soil environments. - Bark Spray.
The product is sprayed on the lower five to six feet bark with a low-pressure sprayer and then absorbed by the tree.
Connect to your local Lawn Doctor today for more information on how we can help save your ash trees!
