Cuba Township Summer 2011 Newsletter

EMERALD ASH BORER NEWS

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in North America about 10 years ago, likely arriving on cargo ships originating in Asia. It has had a devastating effect on residential landscapes, killing millions of ash trees.

Ash trees provide substantial economic and ecosystem benefits to Cuba Township, ranging from increased property values, to storm water migration, to decreased energy demands. Consequently, the EAB is causing widespread economic and environmental impacts. The EAB has attacked ash trees throughout the Midwest, including Illinois and all of our neighboring states. It is present on the North Shore and has been detected as close as Buffalo Grove.

The adult EAB is about 1/2 inch long and is metallic green in color. Adults emerge from late May until early August, feeding on the ash foliage which causes jagged leaf edges. Females lay eggs into the bark and lower branches. After eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel through the bark and feed on the phloem and outer sapwood. The larvae are cream colored and about an inch in length. They can over winter in the bark. There is one generation per year, but some larvae can live in the tree up to two years. They destroy water and nutrient-conducting tissue under the bark.

Initial symptoms of infestation include yellowing and thinning of the foliage and longitudinal bark splitting. Once an ash tree becomes infested by the EAB, the tree will likely exhibit the following symptoms: canopy dieback from top down (a heavenly infested tree will be dead in two years); D– shaped exit holes in the bark; bark stripped by woodpeckers looking for larvae.

There have been varying degrees of success in combating the EAB. Success rates seem to vary depending upon geographical location, severity of the infestation, and EARLY DETECTION! Removal of infested tress is often recommended, but it might not always be your only option. IN some cases, systemic in insecticides have been effective as a preventative measure. Based upon research conducted by university scientists and careful review on the potential impacts on health and the environment, the EPA has registered three systemic insecticides for control of the EAB-dinotefuran in registered for basal trunk bark or soil application, emamectin benzoate for trunk injection only, and imidacloprid for soil application or trunk injection. Deep root fertilization and regular watering can also improve the health of your ash trees. But there are no guarantees. All treatments have a risk of failure, and that will almost certainly be the case if your tree is already infected.

If you have ash trees on your property which you would like to save and protect from the Emerald Ash Borer, it is highly recommended that you take preventative measures before the EAB shows up in Cuba Township. You should contact one of the many certified arborists in our area for help with the detection of the EAB and protection of your ash trees. Additional information can be found on the following websites: www.emeraldashborer.info and www.illinoiseab.com.