If you have ash trees, you’ve certainly heard about the dangers of the emerald ash borer. This insect pest traveled to the United States in packs and crates that shipped from overseas. It was first found in Colorado as early as 2013, and it has already caused the death of many of our ash trees.
A whopping 15% of Colorado’s trees are ash trees. That means that the emerald ash borer has the potential to significantly reduce our tree population. This would be a huge blow since the ash tree produces oxygen and provides shelter and food for many different animals. Ash trees are also used to build furniture, flooring, and baseball bats. And of course, ash trees add beauty to yards and landscapes throughout Colorado.
Luckily, there are a few important things Coloradans can do to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer.
1. Pay Attention to Quarantined Wood
One of the major ways the emerald ash borer spreads is when infested ash tree logs mix with other ash tree logs. That’s why Colorado has specific quarantine areas for emerald ash tree wood and branches.
This wood can be moved to only three designated landfills:
- Western Disposal in Boulder
- Republic Landfill off Highway 93
- Front Range Landfill and Denver Regional Landfill in Erie
Workers can move the wood if they first mulch it into one inch by one inch pieces. They can also use it as firewood within the quarantined area.
You can prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer by keeping ash tree wood in its quarantine areas. If a tree company removes an ash tree from your property, make sure they take the wood directly to a quarantined area.
2. Notice Problems Right Away
When the emerald ash borer reproduces, the larvae cut off the flow of nutrients to the tree, causing the tree to die.
Your tree probably won’t die until several years after the first infestation. If you don’t notice your tree is infected until it’s about to die, you’ve caught the problem too late. The emerald ash borers have already caused major damage to your tree, and unfortunately, the pests have most likely spread to other ash trees in the area.
You can prevent the spread of emerald ash borer by catching problems early. You might not see the tiny, metallic green beetles or their larvae on your tree. But you can see signs that these insects have made your tree their home.
Look for these signs in your ash trees:
- D-shaped holes
- Thinning foliage
- Splitting bark
- Dead branches
- Sprouting on the trunk
- Serpentine-like trails on the trunk
- Woodpecker feeding
Let Schulhoff know the minute you see these problems. We may be able to treat the tree and eliminate the emerald ash borers. If the tree is unlikely to be saved with treatment, we can remove it and take it to a quarantine location.
3. Protect Your Trees
An infected ash tree might not show signs of infestation for three to four years. That’s why it’s crucial to protect your ash trees now, whether or not they show signs of infestation.
For example, annual soil treatment can give your ash trees important nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Direct bark injections, usually administered every other year, also shield trees from emerald ash borer infestations. Bark injections are environmentally friendly. They go directly into the tree, unlike aerial sprays, which could spread in the environment and harm humans and animals. The injections also last longer than other types of applications.
Stop the emerald ash borer from spreading throughout our beautiful Colorado ash trees. Call us today to protect your ash trees.