Buyer Beware - Ash Tree Treatments

I was surprised to see an online ad for a local tree expert on my blog site today.  The expert was advertising treatment to protect trees against the Emerald Ash Borer, a very destructive pest which has recently been found in northern Illinois.  The ad was brief and not intentionally deceptive, but it did advertise treatment of ash trees to protect against this insect. 

While there are both commercial and homeowner applied products which will protect against the EAB, if your tree is diagnosed with the insect, it will, in all likelihood have to be cut down and removed as part of a quarantine program being initiated by a number of localities in Illinois.  Having the insecticide applied will not eliminate the pest if it's already in the tree.  In addition, if you are in an area where the insect has been found, and you have ash trees, they will likely be quarantined and removed to prevent the insect's spread. 

If you have ash trees be sure to check them for "D" shaped emergence holes in the bark.  If a tree is infested, the damage will be noted as the leaves wilt and die in the summer.  I posted some information on this pest and the symptoms of it's infestation on July 15, 2006.  Hopefully you are not in one of the quarantine areas, but if you are, chances are you will lose your ash! (humor intended).

SG