The July 2011 issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News, a trade journal for landscape architects and contractors, has current, interesting and perhaps vital information about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
Len Phillips of the Municipal Arborists writes – "Researchers in Ohio have found that 100% removal of the EAB and ash trees is not necessary."
And the Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation has come out in favor of treatment for EAB rather than always relying on ash tree removal, the idea being that destroying less than 100 percent of borer larvae may be satisfactory. Kill rates in the range of 70 to 80 percent are sufficient, with the tree canopy remaining intact.
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Unless you're an urban arborist this may seem like inside baseball, until the costs of ash tree removal are included in the calculation. In Gurnee, Ill., for example, the anticipated funding for ash tree removal and replacement with safe trees such as oak, elm, or ginkgos was $1.5 million over ten years.
Ouch. That's a lot of ginkgos.
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Saving the infected ash trees with less expensive pest control techniques saves lots of money. Plus, the positive impact of mature trees on the aesthetic environment is maintained. Deforestation is a bad thing.
But, that doesn't relieve us of being vigilant about the nasty bugs. The primary tool in controlling the spread of the EAB is quarantine. Don't Move Firewood. Got that?
If you do suspect EAB's in your trees call 1-800-OHIO-EAB.
And check out my new column – - in this Friday's Patch.
I promise, it has nothing to do with bugs.