Saving Our Ash Trees: Combating the Emerald Ash Borer’s Destructive Path
Have you heard about the ash tree devastation spreading across America due to the emerald ash borer? Learn how to protect and save ash trees with these tips.
It is terrible!
And they’ve invaded my ash trees. The damage is so bad that I have to remove them as a result.
But you may not have to if you take steps to protect them now.
While a large majority of my blogs are pretty with lots of beautiful plants and flowers, I have to address a real problem that is sweeping across America.
It’s serious because the emerald ash borer is killing off ash trees and putting our safety at risk.
Ash trees that are close to homes or power lines are a very serious hazard after the emerald ash borer takes hold.
While infested trees with significant signs of damage will need to be removed, there are steps that we can take to mitigate the damage from the emerald ash borer.
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Emerald Ash Borer Damage
I knew about the emerald ash borer and the damage they caused but didn’t know a lot. Life takes us in all different directions, and I was not focusing on this as an issue yet.
Admittedly, I may have also had an “it won’t happen to me” kind of attitude.
But my ignorance and complacency were a huge and very costly mistake.
And I don’t want to see you make the same mistake I did.
About a week ago, I noticed stripped bark on my ash tree that extended from roughly 2 feet above ground to at least 20 feet high on one side of the trunks.
The damage is astounding!
I mean look at this tree!
I quickly looked it up only to find that it is due to an ash borer infestation.
The moment I realized what it was, I called a certified arborist because the inclination is to take these down.
But if there’s a way to save the trees, a certified arborist would be able to provide the right information.
What is the Emerald Ash Borer and Why You Need to Act Now
The emerald ash borer is an invasive, non-native insect that is destroying ash trees across the country.
It’s important to know whether and where you have ash trees on your property so you can care for them and help protect them from this devastation.
Why is it called the emerald ash borer?
They are roughly 1/2 inch long, emerald green in color, and produce D-shaped holes when they leave the interiors of ash trees.
Emerald ash borers lay eggs inside ash trees where they make serpentine tunnels. These tunnels interfere with the tree’s ability to move nutrients and water throughout the tree that ultimately causes decline, and eventually death.
Thus, learning how to protect ash trees from emerald ash borers can literally save your trees.
How to Protect Trees from Emerald Ash Borer Damage.
In order to manage and control the spread of the emerald ash borer, we need to keep ash trees happy and healthy.
All homeowners need to identify ash trees on their property and employ the assistance of a certified tree expert to help determine the proper means of control to protect, save and/or safely remove trees.
If an insecticidal treatment is warranted, it can be used to slow the damage to trees. Such treatments are typically applied in May/June before adult insects are visible.
So it is really important to act now.
Why You Need a Certified Arborist
There are lots of tree guys out there. From certified tree experts to local contractors that are ready and willing to remove trees.
But who should we choose?
The reason it is SO IMPORTANT to have a certified arborist look at trees before removing them is that you may NOT NEED to remove them.
Certified tree experts have studied trees, can correctly identify and address pest and disease problems, as well as apply the proper treatments at the proper time.
Where the emerald ash borer is concerned, there is an inclination to just remove these trees. And while that may be the ultimate result for many, there are lots of ash trees that are not infested with emerald ash borer damage and could be saved.
So it is really important to treat trees before an infestation occurs.
Walking around my property with a certified tree expert, we spoke a long time about each of the ash trees on my property and evaluated the options for each and every one.
If an ash tree can be saved from an emerald ash borer infestation, a certified tree expert can apply injections into the tree in May/June to help protect them from these invasive insects.
These injections last about 2 years and are much less costly than removing the trees. And when I say much less costly, that means hundreds of dollars to treat versus thousands of dollars to remove one tree.
Contact a local certified tree expert to help properly identify emerald ash borer damage and discuss ways to mitigate this invasive pest.
To learn more about the emerald ash borer, CLICK HERE.
More About EAB Damage
Do you have ash trees that have been affected by the EAB yet? What have you done to help protect ash trees? I would love to know more in the comments below.
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- Gardening basics to set you up for success
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Garden Supplies I Use
I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.
- I like to use a good-quality, potting soil, garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting. While I make my own compost, you can easily buy it ready-made for use.
- I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
- Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use it to get underneath roots and loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
- But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
- I use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
- And I use this organic fertilizer for my vegetables and herbs in the potager garden.
- You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
- I use these garden snips to deadhead and cut flowers from my gardens.
- Where pest and disease problems are concerned, if I need to, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue. When using, only apply when pollinators are less active.
- This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
- Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow-through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.
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