FYI, press release from Iowa Department of Natural Resources, December 11,
2012.

NOTE: "We are discouraging homeowners who live more than 15 miles from the
infestation from treating their ash trees with insecticides to protect them
from this pest," Feeley said. "Unfortunately, we are hearing reports of
individuals distributing incorrect information promoting treatments across
the state. It is unnecessary to treat healthy ash trees beyond 15 miles from
a known infestation."

EMERALD ASH BORER FOUND AT TWO NEW LOCATIONS IN ALLAMAKEE COUNTY

Five insect larvae with characteristics that are consistent with the emerald
ash borer have been found in two sentinel trap trees in Allamakee County.
The larvae were collected on Oct. 25 in trees at Pool Slough and in Black
Hawk Point Wildlife Area, south of New Albin.

These additional discoveries do not change the quarantine on moving wood
from Allamakee County currently in place, but provides additional evidence
of the invasive tree-killing pest's location in the state. 

"This is significant because the Black Hawk Point discovery is the furthest
west infestation that we found," said Tivon Feeley, with the Iowa Department
of Natural Resources forest health program. This is also the first time
emerald ash borer has been found in a sentinel tree in the state.

There are 80 of the 416 sentinel trees across the state left to check as
part of the annual emerald ash borer surveillance effort. 

The natural progression of the beetles by flight is estimated to be 2 to 5
miles per year, but moving infested ash material enables the beetles to move
farther and faster. Based on information from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana,
the presence is usually discovered a few years after the beetle becomes
established. 

The metallic green beetle causes its damage during its larval stage, a
creamy-white legless flat worm up to one inch long. Larvae feed on the
living tissue under the bark of ash trees, cutting off the pipelines of
nutrients, minerals and water to the tree, and causing a slow death. 

Residents within 15 miles of the latest finds who have ash trees on their
property will have a decision to make to either use a preventive treatment
from an arborist to save the tree or to wait for the borer to find the tree.


When choosing an arborist, make sure, at a minimum, that they are a member
of an organization like the National Arborist Association, Iowa Arborists
Association or the International society of Arboriculture or the American
Society of Consulting Arborists. These organizations certify and offer
continuing education training for their members. 

Simply having a chainsaw and a truck (or insecticide treatment equipment)
does not qualify someone as an arborist and homeowners are encouraged to do
their homework, regardless of who they hire.

"Arborists are usually really busy and don't have time to go door-to-door
soliciting business," said Emma Bruemmer, state urban forester for the DNR. 

Preventive treatments include a springtime application of an insecticide
directly to the ash tree or into the root zone of the tree. Larger trees may
require a fall treatment as well. The DNR is discouraging aerial application
to minimize the unintended impacts of the insecticide on nontarget insect
populations, such as honey bees and natural enemy insects. 

"We are discouraging homeowners who live more than 15 miles from the
infestation from treating their ash trees with insecticides to protect them
from this pest," Feeley said. "Unfortunately, we are hearing reports of
individuals distributing incorrect information promoting treatments across
the state. It is unnecessary to treat healthy ash trees beyond 15 miles from
a known infestation."

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has a list of recommendations
for homeowners dealing with emerald ash borers at: 
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/itemdetail.aspx?productid=13114

 

 


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