Emerald Ash Borer Insect Control for Trees in Winfield and Surrounding Areas
Sadly, Illinois will lose all of its 130 million Ash trees – except for those properly treated by knowledgeable Arborists. The destructive Emerald Ash Borer is widespread. The good news is that although it was once believed to be an untreatable insect, we now know that is not true.
The EAB can live under the bark of an Ash tree for 3 to 5 years before any outward signs of tree disease are evident. Once the EAB population builds to a sufficient level and does enough damage, the tree starts to die rapidly.
Emerald Ash Borer must be controlled proactively.
Treatment
Tree Green’s Emerald Ash Borer treatment procedure is a two-step process.
- We perform a Root Drench consisting of a combination of products which includes insecticides as well as a rich fertilizer mixture. It is well known that a healthy tree is better able to fight off all types of environmental stressors, including damage caused by insects.
- The second part of the treatment is a tree Trunk Infusion of an injectable insecticide.
See the dramatic difference between a neighborhood lined with untreated ash trees and the single ash tree on that same street that was treated by Tree Green.
Why we’re so confident in the effectiveness of our treatment?
In September 2006, we visited Michigan and met with a Board Certified Master Arborist who was involved in the initial identification of the ‘EAB’ in his state. His area near Detroit is ‘ground zero’ for the Emerald Ash Borer. He created an innovative treatment program, and the results were amazing to see. He took us to several locations including subdivisions, malls, and apartment complexes. We saw the same thing in and around every location: full, healthy, vibrant Ash trees that were treated by this Arborist’s company, but surrounded by literally thousands of untreated dead Ash. The forest preserves, wooded lots and parkways looked as if a selective forest fire had gone through those areas, destroying only Ash trees. The devastation was very, very sad. But in the midst of the sea of dead Ash was the occasional green oasis, where this Arborists’ healthy, treated Ash trees stood, and still stand today! After seeing this Arborist’s success first-hand there is no way we would offer a less-proven method.
Which Ash trees to save?
A homeowner should assess their property and determine which Ash tree or trees are most valuable to their landscaping design. Is the tree well located? Does it provide shade to the patio, deck or the house itself? How many years will it take to grow a new tree of that size in its place? Does it add value to the property due to its aesthetic appeal? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then the tree may certainly be worth treating and saving!
Case Studies
BEFORE
The photo above shows a young Ash tree with damage caused by the Emerald Ash Borer.
AFTER
The above (follow up) photo was taken after two years of Tree Green’s recommended treatment program.
Notice how much fuller the tree has become as it improves from the EAB damage.
The homeowner did not have the uppermost limbs, which had died early on, trimmed out; but, new healthy growth will push past those damaged limbs and they will not be noticeable in another year.
The photo was taken within two miles of where the EAB was first identified in Illinois in 2006. In the first photo you can see two vibrant and healthy Ash trees.
This homeowner wanted to be proactive regarding EAB treatment and called Tree Green before there was any obvious sign of the insect on his street. These two trees shown in the forefront of the photo have been treated by Tree Green since 2007 and are in perfect health.
(Actually we treated a total of four Ash trees for this client but the two in front are so thick and full that the other two behind them are obstructed from view).
In this photo you can see what is happening right across the street from the owner of the four healthy Ash trees. There are 4 Ash trees there too, and all are dying due to the Emerald Ash Borer. This photo was taken in 2010. Those 4 trees have since been removed and our client’s trees are still flourishing.
This client called us in 2010 and said “you have to come out here and look at this…my Ash trees look great and all of the other Ash trees in the neighborhood are dying!” He also mentioned that “my neighbors are upset with me for not mentioning your company to them.”
