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Emerald Ash Borer
You may have heard of the emerald ash borer (EAB) threat which has resulted in removal of over 200,000 ash trees in Ohio and millions of trees in Michigan. Eradication of the emerald ash borer is dependent upon tree removal to reduce it’s breeding ground. If this doesn’t work we may be in for complete loss of many or all of our ash. The scenario is similar to the Dutch Elm Disease which killed millions of elms in the mid 1900’s.
As you likely have read or heard by now, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has now been found in Union County. The discovery of the pest in Marysville has led to the Ohio Department of Agriculture EAB Quarantine Union County. For homeowners and landowners, this now brings up several areas that you will need to consider. First, the rumor that either the state or federal government will be cutting down ash trees, either infested or not, is FALSE. The cutting program in Ohio ended when the federal funds dried up over a year and a half ago. Both the potential economics loss of ash trees AND the expense of removing them, especially in lawns, roadsides and parks will be very high.
For lawn trees, there is no treatment for a tree once it is infested. Infested trees should be cut down before it becomes a safety hazard. Ohio State University Extension has a publication which outlines some suggested replacement options.
If your lawn tree(s) do not have any symptoms now, you can decide if you want to consider a preventive treatment program. These preventative programs are not 100% effective, but treatment programs would be annual, so you will have expenses each year to treat the tree(s). There are both homeowner and commercial treatment methods. Most of the treatments contain the systemic insecticide imadicloprid.
The homeowner treatment is easy to apply as you determine the amount to use based on the tree's circumference, dilute it in water and pour around the tree. The systemic insecticide is then taken up by the tree and eventually moves throughout the tree. If you are thinking about the treatment, make sue you read the OSU Fact Sheet on the topic. We will make additional research trial information available as it is published. It is important to begin the treatment as soon as possible, if you make this decision.
For woodlot ash trees, there is no practical preventive treatments that are economically practical. The main decision to make is when to cut the trees:
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You may evaluate timber ash prices and choose to harvest the trees now.
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You may choose to leave the trees and sell them later, hoping that prices improve.
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You may also decide to cut the trees as they die or decline and utilize them for firewood.
Regardless of your decision, you will need to become familiar with the Ohio Department of Agriculture EAB Quarantine Rules. Ohio is also under federal quarantine rules, which affects hauling ash out of the state. Note the links below to access this information.
If you have questions, call OSU Extension, Union County at 937.644.8117 or 800.589.8584. Some of the most informative fact sheets are linked below. You can access others at http://ashalert.osu.edu/
Fact Sheets
What is the Emerald Ash Borer (pdf)
Emerald Ash Borer Diagnostic Check-off List (pdf)
Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer and their Effectiveness
Ash Replacements for Urban and Woodland Plantings
Managing Emerald Ash Borer in your Woodland - Where to Start?
Management Options for Minimizing Emerald Ash borer Impact on Ohio Woodlands (pdf)
Evaluating Tree Planting Decisions for the Landscape and Streetscape with Emerald Ash Borer (pdf)
Ohio Timber Price (pdf)
Ohio Timber Price (Excel)
Other Web Sites:
Ohio State University Extension EAB
Ohio Department of Agriculture EAB
Ohio Woodlands Stewards Program
