Preventing the Death of Ash Trees
By: Katrina Irwin
Updated: May 6, 2011
Last year, the Emerald Ash Borer was detected in Scottsville. Experts fear this year it will be much more widespread.
"Tens of millions of ash trees have died already in the midwest," Riordan adds.
But Riordan says homeowners can take precautions to save their trees. There is a treatment. It's injected into the base of the tree and it lasts for 2 years.
"It takes a long time for the infestation to show itself. So the best thing to do is act in advance we are in a great position right now because the trees haven't been damaged that much and we can try to save trees."
It's best to treat the trees once the leaves come out. The chemical keeps the larvae of the beetle from developing.
"Mature trees like these add value in so many ways. From aesthetics and shade to stormwater management. To live on a street without trees would not be as enjoyable as living on a street with trees," says Riordan.
She also adds, "some trees aren't worth saving if they have been damaged in some other way. But to just clear cut trees is bad for the community, bad for the environment and treatment really is the way to go."
The cost of treatment is generally about 10-12 dollars per inch diameter of the tree. Usually trees that are candidates for treatment are at least 4 inches in diameter.
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