What to know about EAB:
*It attacks only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) Mountain Ash trees are not a target, only Green, Purple, and White Ash trees (that we have around here)
*Adult Beetles are metallic green and about 1/2-inch long
*Adults leave a D-shaped exit hole in the bark when they emerge in spring
*Woodpeckers like EAB larvae; heavy woodpecker damage on ash trees may be a sign of infestation
*Ash firewood cannot be moved out of Boulder County because of the EAB quarantine.
*Homeowners/HOA’s should expect tree companies to leave all Ash wood and woodchips onsite when possible to decrease the spread of EAB. We are trying to contain EAB to places it is already present.
*It probably came from Asia in wood packing material.
When to Apply Pesticides to Prevent EAB:
May, June or July–No one should be applying pesticides for EAB between October thru March. Anyone telling you otherwise is trying to make money off of you-this higher rate of pesticide does not need to be put down during the dormant season.
Which Method of Pesticide Application Should We Use to prevent EAB in our Ash trees?:
CETC is advocating for Tree-AZIN, a trunk injection, to be the only product used in Boulder County to prevent EAB. In the United States, TreeAzin is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a bioinsecticide (Reg. 82996-1). TreeAzin is also listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic crops. Tree-AZIN does not use any neonicotinoids (like Merit aka imidacloprid) so honey bees, other insects and soil decomposers are not as adversely effected as they are when humans use any of the other products available in the market. In addition, by injecting the pesticide straight into the trunk of the tree, we are being more environmentally conscious– by eliminating chemicals being dumped into our surface and groundwater supplies (soil injections) and eliminating particle drift and improving air quality (spray applications). Trunk injections are not as common as soil injections and spray applications, but they need to become the only method of application to deal with pests, specifically EAB, in Cutting Edge Tree Care’s opinion. This is the only way can positively contribute to the environment, ourselves, and the precious commodities of food, air, and water we need to survive on this planet while simultaneously managing a pest that is destroying our beloved trees.
TreeAzin is registered for use against:
Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moth, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Elm Leaf Beetle, Tent Caterpillars, Leafminers, Spruce Budworm, Jack Pine Budworm, Sawflies
TreeAzin is a systemic insecticide injected directly into the base of trees. TreeAzin is produced from Neem tree (Azadiracta indica) seed extracts. Neem extracts have been used for centuries to control insects. The active ingredient in TreeAzin is Azadirachtin (5% solution). TreeAzin is NOT Neem Oil.
Click here for the Press Release from the CO Department of Agriculture dated September 27, 2013.
Go to the Emerald Ash Borer page on the right hand side of our website for more information on this pest and for a more in-depth Q&A section.
Cutting Edge Tree Care (CETC) is a tree company focused on educating and explaining how trees are integral to our suburban communities and how as humans we need to consider the big picture when making decisions about how to manage our urban forest. Our crew is passionate about trees. We stay up to date on the latest and greatest industry advancements. We specialize in tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding, pest management and plant health care, installing dynamic cabling systems, and taking care of any other tree care needs you may have (small and large trees). Our crew takes care of your trees as if they were their own. We have an in house Qualified Supervisor through the Colorado Department of Agriculture to evaluate and manage any plant health care needs and determine the least toxic method to handle the issue at hand. We do everything we can to protect the birds and trees, dogs and bees. In most cases, just a little water and soil amendment can eliminate the need for pesticides.
