The Emerald Ash Borer began its devastating spread in the Michigan area with its introduction into the state probably as early as the late 1990s. Because it’s population grew unabated and unnoticed for 7-10 years, it has proven difficult to control for many wishing to save their ash trees. The beetle, found natively in Asia, is an invasive species thought to have been brought over in wood shipments through the Great Lakes. As the Emerald Ash Borer has few natural predators in its new environment, its population has flourished.
The Emerald Ash Borer adults begin to emerge in late May and continue throughout July. Their food source are only ash leaves for about a week until they are old enough to mate. Feeding nearly comes to a halt as they focus on mating before they die 10-14 days later. Every female ash borer will successfully lay about 60-95 eggs during that time, having done so within her flight range of about a half mile radius of where she emerged. The eggs hatch in 7-10 days. These newly hatched larva burrow through the ash bark and start feeding on the phloem of the tree. Continued feeding by more and more of these Emerald Ash Borer larvae essentially cut off the flow of sugars to various parts of the tree. Eventually, this feeding over a couple of years will girdle the tree, slowly killing it by stopping this vital supply line. The first signs of a problem surface in the thinning of the crown of the tree, and within time, lead to the eventual death of the entire ash tree itself.
Thankfully today, due to early efforts of a few Michigan arborists like Board Certified Master Arborist Wayne A. White, saving our ash trees from guaranteed death is no longer a dream. As documented on websites like treeresearch.org, these early success stories are a shining example of how arborists can now save ash trees with early treatment.
If ash borers are confirmed to be within a 15 mile radius of a healthy tree, treatment is suggested as these treatments work better as a prevention, not as a cure. Once a tree has noticeably declined from Emerald Ash Borer damage, it will be more difficult to save. Preventative treatment is always the best, as it will stop the damage before it even starts. Emerald Tree Care, LLC is working throughout these newly infested areas saving thousands of ash trees throughout multiple states in the midwest using its state-of-the-art “no drill system” to treat both the tree and surrounding soil.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!
Contact Emerald Tree Care, LLC and Board Certified Master Arborist Wayne A. White today and get your trees inspected. Ask about our 100% Money-Back Guarantee!