By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer • Winter 0 Comments

Why Winter Can’t Save Trees From Emerald Ash Borers

Because we live in an area that has cold winters, we can often rely on these chilly temperatures to help us get rid of some annoying plant and lawn pests without treatment. But when it comes to the invasive emerald ash borer, this approach unfortunately does not work. While the cold may kill a few of the emerald ash borers in your ash trees, it will not kill all of them.

Emerald ash borers are a very sturdy tree pest. They burrow deep inside of trees before winter hits in order to hibernate. The insulation from the tree, plus their hibernation cycle, help them to survive throughout the winter. Exceptionally cold temperatures may kill weaker borers, or ones that are inhabiting smaller, younger trees. But the healthier the borer, the more likely they are to survive. This means that, after a particularly harsh winter, you may be left with only the toughest emerald ash borers. This can make it even more difficult to eradicate them during the spring, and that, if they are allowed to breed, they will produce even heartier offspring.

With this in mind, the best approach to preventing and treating these destructive pests is in watching your trees for signs of an emerald ash borer infestation. The signs are often the most noticeable during the fall and winter, when leaves have fallen which allows you to better see the state of the bark and branch attachments. Bark splitting, S-shapes under the bark of your trees, and increased woodpecker activity may all be signs of impending trouble.

If your trees become infested with emerald ash borers, it can take just two to four years for the tree to die if left untreated. In addiction, the borers can spread to neighboring ash
trees, quickly decimating an entire neighborhood.

If you’re concerned that your trees are showing signs of an emerald ash borer infestation, have them inspected immediately by our professional arborists. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible so that we can ensure your ash trees can be saved before the emerald ash borer infestation gets too far advanced.

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer 0 Comments

Should You Treat or Remove Your Ash Tree with EAB?

The Midwest currently faces a very real threat to a large portion of its public and private trees. An invasive and exotic pest known as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has already infested many ash trees, and will eventually infest all ash trees if it is left untreated. Initially discovered in the U.S. in 2002 near Detroit, Michigan, EAB is a very serious pest that has a track record of killing all untreated ash trees in infested cities.

EAB is now considered the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. It has been killing ash trees in cities for over a decade, and it is now widely accepted this pest will kill all untreated ash trees, likely costing cities, states, and homeowners billions of dollars in the process.

When to Remove Your Ash Trees

The decision whether or not to remove an infected ash tree is up to you. While there are a number of effective treatment options, they typically last only 1-2 years and need to be repeated for the life of the tree. Please remember that treatments are not effective if more than 30% of the tree canopy is already dead.

Removing a beloved tree is a tough choice to face. We want to help you make an informed decision that is best for you and the health of your trees. Our certified arborists will guide you through a process that considers your budget, the value of the tree to your property, and respects the sentimental nature of your trees.

When to Treat Your Ash Trees

When it comes to EAB, there is one big question for cities and homeowners alike: “Should I treat my trees to protect them, or should I remove them so dead trees don’t threaten other people or property?” For homeowners, there is a short list of steps to consider:

  • Check your property to see if you have ash trees. Check your trees now before you begin to see dieback.
  • Make some tough decisions about whether to remove the tree and replant, or treat the tree and protect it. A certified arborist can be a big help in quickly assessing the health of the ash and help you make a decision. Doing nothing will only delay the problem and will likely result in the tree’s death and possible injury or damage to nearby property.
  • Realize that most treatments require re-application at least every two years for the life of the ash tree. Ask yourself if you’re willing to keep up treatments if you decide to keep the tree. If not, it is recommended that the tree be removed.

Please contact our licensed and certified arborists at Liberty Lawn & Landscape, Inc. for your free Emerald Ash Borer Evaluation. We can help you assess your ash trees so that you can make the decision whether to treat or remove your ash trees. In making either decision, you can help be a part of the nationwide effort to keep EAB from removing ash trees from our communities.

LibertyLawn@gmail.com / 402.423.0061

3810 Cornhusker Hwy, Lincoln, NE 68504 / PO Box 29442. Lincoln, NE 68529

 

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer 0 Comments

Emerald Ash Borer Up-Date & New Adopt-an-Ash Program

Let the experts at Liberty Lawn & Landscape and Capital Arborists help you register your ash trees – free of charge.

The Lincoln Forestry Department has determined that it is time to begin planning for the inevitable infestation of the Emerald ash Borer in Southeastern Nebraska, including Lincoln and the surrounding areas. The City of Lincoln has decided that the best course of action is to remove ash trees in the city right-of-ways. This decision will, however, affect the aesthetics and value of many local properties. In an effort to accommodate the desires of residents, the city has decided to implement a program called the Adopt-an-Ash program. This will give homeowners who want to keep their right-of-way ash trees an option to preserve and protect them.

What is the Adopt-an-Ash Program?

In order to address the impending threat of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), the City of Lincoln has created an EAB Response and Recovery Plan. Working with neighborhoods, the city plans to remove and replace ash trees along streets in right-of-ways and on public lands. In implementing this plan, the city realized that some city residents would oppose the removal of mature trees around their properties. In order to address these concerns, the plan has an option to allow interested residents to preserve these trees. Dubbed the Adopt-an-Ash Program, it offers residents access to a no-cost permit that allows them to “adopt” ash trees in right-of-way areas adjacent to their home or business.

In order to adopt the tree(s), the resident must agree to arrange and pay for ongoing treatment in order to prevent the tree from becoming a host to EAB. This must be completed every two years on an ongoing basis in order to be effective. The optimal time for treatment to be completed is after trees have leafed out in the spring but before EAB eggs have hatched, which is usually between mid-May and mid-June.

Street Tree Eligibility

In order for an Adopt-an-Ash permit to be approved by Lincoln Parks and Recreation, certain criteria must be met. These include:

 

  1. The ash tree must be in the public right-of-way adjacent to the lot where you live or have a business.
  2. The diameter (width) of the tree when measured 4.5 feet above the ground must be at least 14”.
  3. The tree may not be under overhead wires.
  4. The tree must be in good condition with no significant wounds visible.
  5. Public trees may only be treated with a chemical trunk injection method. No other chemical applications are allowed for public trees, including: soil drench, soil injection, trunk sprays or foliage sprays.
  6. All chemical treatments must be in accordance with state and federal regulations and applied only by a licensed applicator.

 

How to Apply

The first step is to find the 7-digit tree ID assigned to the ash you would like to adopt. This can be done via an interactive map on the Lincoln Parks & Recreation website, or by contacting the Community Forestry division at the Parks and Recreation Office, at 402-441-7847 (Ext. 0). Next, download and complete the Adopt-an-Ash Permit Application, and be sure to include the Street Tree ID for each tree you would like to adopt. You can return the application to the department by mailing in to the address on the application, delivering it in person to the Parks and Recreation office, or by scanning the completed form and emailing it to: forestry@lincoln.ne.gov. If the application form is completed correctly, it will be approved immediately. The Permit Approval form will then be returned to the resident by the method the application was received.

After the EAB treatment has been completed on each tree adopted, you will need to return the bottom portion of the Permit Approval form, along with an invoice from the pesticide applicator. Once issued, the Adopt-an-Ash permit will be valid for two years. When it expires, you will need to request a new permit and re-treat the tree for EAB. If a new permit is not requested, the tree will be scheduled for removal.

In order to preserve as many ash trees in our community, we at Liberty Lawn & Landscape, Inc. and Capital Arborists, Inc. are offering to assist the public in taking advantage of the Adopt-an-Ash program.

For absolutely no charge, we will research your property’s ash trees through the Lincoln Forestry Department website, find your ash Tree(s)’ identification number, fill out the appropriate paperwork, and submit documents to either the City of Lincoln or to the property owner for their required signature.

We will also provide a free estimate for the required insecticide injection program. Contact us today for your free estimate.

If you have any questions regarding the Adopt-A-Tree Program please feel free to contact us. We can help with the logistics, procedures, and implementation in an endeavor to save your ash trees from both the Emerald Ash Borer and the chainsaw.

Thank you for your consideration and business, and Merry Christmas!

Doug McIntosh & Justin Maxson

City of Lincoln Licensed Arborists & Nebraska Arborist Association Members

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer 0 Comments

Identifying Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer has an exotic name for such a tiny insect. Measuring barely one-half inch long when fully grown, Agrilus planipennis has become one of the most invasive threats to ash trees worldwide.

This beetle, sometimes nicknamed EAB, can be traced back to the continent of Asia. How it managed to travel around the world is still a matter of speculation, but the most likely culprits are shipping boxes made of the beetle’s favorite food – ash trees.

Today, the EAB is a documented invasive species that is catalogued in the federal government’s National Invasive Species Information Center.

According to recent reports, the emerald ash borer has a documented presence in 35 out of 50 US states and six out of 10 Canadian provinces in North America. The beetle has already killed up to 100 million ash trees throughout the continent and shows no signs of stopping.

Are there any tricks to identifying emerald ash borer? What type of emerald ash borer treatment is available if your ash trees become infested? Read on to find out!

Tips for Identifying Emerald Ash Borer Beetles

This diminutive beetle actually causes the least amount of damage in its adult lifestage. When the beetle is really devastating is when the EAB is in the larval stage and is feeding like mad on the inner bark of the ash tree trunk, literally destroying the tree from the inside out.

Not surprisingly, it can be hard to identify the beetles when they are in the larval stage. If the adult beetle is tiny, the eggs are even tinier – each one measures barely 0.25 inches in length.

However, there are distinctive patterns that begin to appear as EAB larvae start feeding on ash tree bark. You can look for each of the following:

– Outer bark splitting open vertically.
– S-shaped formations in the bark called “galleries” that snake one way and then the other, up, down or side to side across the bark surface.
– Plenty of brown dusty substance called “frass” that the larvae leave behind while feeding.
– D-shaped holes that the adult beetles make when they emerge from the inner bark.
– The upper canopy of your ash tree begins to look sparser and this intensifies as time passes.
– You see odd branches and shoots called “suckers” start to grow out from around the lower portion of the trunk and these are covered with larger-than-normal leaves.

This graphic may also help you decide if what you are seeing may be an EAB infestation.

Another possible sign that EAB’s have moved in happens when your ash trees start to attract more woodpeckers, who love to hunt the larvae. Woodpeckers can also cause tree damage, and just seeing woodpeckers does not necessarily mean you have an EAB infestation.

But if you see both the woodpeckers and some of the signs mentioned earlier here, it is time to call out the pros for an evaluation.

Once you have succeeded in identifying emerald ash borer issues, it is time to move on to your treatment options.

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Options

The ash borer beetle represents an active and growing threat to ash trees throughout North America.

In Nebraska and elsewhere, areas of quarantine have been established and are adjusted as necessary. The quarantines help to prevent EAB infestations from spreading by preventing removal and/or export of infected ash trees or ash products (firewood, et al) into new areas.

You have two basic options for treatment once you have a confirmed infestation on your hands. The first option is treatment with chemicals. The second option is tree removal. In all cases, the earlier you confirm an EAB infestation, the more likely you will be to find success in taking a treatment and remediation approach.

Tree removal.

If your ash tree is currently 14 inches or less in circumference around the widest part of the main trunk, we typically recommend removing the tree.

Not only does this follow the official U.S. Department of Agriculture EAB infestation tree removal guidelines, but it can also save you time and money as young ash trees have less resilience in the face of EAB infestation.

However, if your ash tree is greater than 14 inches in circumference and/or represents a significant value to your property, or if you are currently situated in an EAB quarantine area where other trees are being actively treated, you may wish to try to save the tree.

In this case, your main option is treatment with chemicals.

Treatment with chemicals.

Currently, there are two main treatment systems in use to combat ash borer infestations in North America.

The first treatment system is called the Mauget system. With this system, the chemical treatment is injected into the interior of the tree. The treatment consists of capsules filled with a chemical insecticide called Imicide.

One positive aspect of the Mauget system is that the treatment is environmentally friendly and has a 50-year history of success in treating infestations.

However, the Mauget system is usually only recommended for smaller ash trees.

The second treatment system is called the TREEage Arborjet system. With this system, the chemical treatment is infused into the interior of the tree and straight into its arboreal vascular system by means of an I.V. filled with Emamectin Benzoate.

This treatment is typically recommended for larger ash trees.

In addition to injectable and I.V. options, there are also options to spray the tree and soak the surrounding ground with the appropriate insecticide.

What to Do If You Suspect an EAB Infestation

The first step is to have your ash tree evaluated by a professional licensed arborist for the state of Nebraska. We come to your property, measure the circumference of your ash tree, evaluate its overall health and estimate the scope of the emerald ash borer infestation.

We then provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for removal versus treatment.

By Liberty Lawn Damage • Emerald Ash Borer 0 Comments

Emerald Ash Borer Damage

An invasive species to North America, the emerald ash borer is a green jewel beetle that feeds on species of ash trees. Adults are generally a third of an inch long, .063 inches wide, and a bright metallic green in color. The wing covers tend to be a darker green but can have copper hues. This beetle can be identified from below when it is flying by the upper abdomen, which is bright red.

The exotic beetle was discovered in the summer of 2002 in Michigan, near Detroit. They probably came into the United States in cargo ships or airplanes from their native Asia on packing material of solid wood. As of late 2018, the beetle was found not only in 35 states but 5 provinces of Canada as well. Since its discovery, the borer has killed ash trees in the hundreds of millions in North America, caused quarantines to be placed on logs, trees, and hardened firewood in areas of its occurrence, and cost property owners, municipalities, forest products industries, and nursery operators money in the hundreds of millions.

Emerald ash borer damage appears on largely in green, white, and black ashes. Of the North American species of ash, the blue appears to be the species that is most resistant. The beetle, whose name is often abbreviated to EAB, can also be found feeding on white fringetree. Tree symptoms are typically noticed initially in the top canopy. In fact, by the time a homeowner notices a D-shaped exit hole at ground level from an emerging adult EAB beetle, that tree will probably have been infested by generations of the beetles. Damage is typically quite evident by this point and is visible by watching the upper tree canopy first dying back, followed within the next couple of years by the lower canopy.

Females of the emerald ash borer lay eggs in crevices in the bark of ash trees. Larvae then feed beneath the bark of the ash trees to emerge in one or two years as adults. They exit through D-shaped holes. Adult beetles nibble on the foliage of ash trees but do little damage. The immature stage, or the larvae, feeding on the inner bark causes the true damage. This disrupts the tree’s ability to manage the transport of nutrients and water.

Tree symptoms show as canopy dieback and thinning upon first notice, epicormic suckering and sprouting as the tree is girdled by insect damage, bark cracks and splits, and a high profusion of woodpecker damage as the birds feast on the insect larva. When trees experience stress, they sometimes attempt to grow new leaves and branches where they still can. This is suckering.

Infected trees display top-down dieback with one-third to one-half of branches dying upon first notice; the remaining canopy dies within the two years that follow. This tends to be followed by a great many shoots arising beneath the dead sections of large branches and the trunk. Trees may exhibit two- to four-inch vertical splits within the bark as a response to larval feeding.

Woodpecker predation of EAB larva is another sign of potential emerald ash borer damage in a tree. The splinters of wood from woodpecker feeding tend to be a different color when there is recent damage: a light orange-yellow. The damage will be first noticed in upper branches that have a diameter of three to four inches, but it can be discovered throughout the tree when the infestations are in the advanced stages. Winter is when the damage is particularly visible from the ground level when woodpecker activity is more prevalent. Splinters of wood become more weathered in appearance through late spring and following into the summer months. Extensive damage from woodpeckers is sometimes known as bronzing or flecking.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that these symptoms are not unique to the EAB beetle. Native insects, diseases, and environmental factors may be responsible for symptoms that look identical to those of the EAB. Often common diseases like fungal cankers and verticillium wilt are mistaken for symptoms of emerald ash borer damage.

Specific signs of EAB include D-shaped exit holes that appear in June and July where the adults emerge from the ash trees. The holes are about one-eighth inch wide and may be oriented in all directions. These differ from exit holes of native borers, which will be oval or round and can vary size-wise. Another sign is a series of distinct S-shaped, serpentine tunnels or galleries beneath the bark. The tunnels are about an eighth inch wide and packed with frass, which is a mixture of insect excrement and sawdust. As the larvae feed, trees try to create callus tissue around the galleries. This sometimes causes the bark to split vertically, revealing the galleries and larvae. The final sign of the emerald ash borer infestation is the actual sight of the adults, larvae, or pupae.

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer • Treatment 0 Comments

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment

A Guide to Emerald Ash Borer Treatment

The emerald ash borer is one of the most destructive species of insect to owners of ash trees. The small, green beetle wreaks havoc on these beautiful trees and it is important to apply comprehensive and effective treatments to properly eradicate them. Since infestation can be systemic causing the species to multiply rapidly, it is important to regularly inspect your ash trees and no what the signs are. If you are able to salvage your ash trees from the destruction, there are thankfully a number of treatment options available.

What Do These Insects Do?

The EAB is an invasive species of insect that primarily lives inside of ash trees, which is the insect’s food source. Discovered in 2002, this species originated in Asia and found their way to the United States where they have decimated all varieties of ash trees and have caused much stress for landscapers and homeowners. The mechanism of infestation begins when females lay their eggs underneath the bark of the trees and the hatched larvae feast upon the trees interior bark, causing the tree to rot from the inside out.

The insect has destroyed millions of ash trees in the United States and Canada alone. The repercussions have been devastating to local home and garden retail stores throughout North America due to wary consumers not wishing to deal with the severity of a possible infestation. Once an infestation spreads throughout the tree, it becomes difficult to salvage due to the destruction of its interior due to the insects feeding.

Treatment Methods: Insecticides

Insecticides are the most popular forms of treatment against invasive insects, however, it can be confusing trying to find the best product. If you have ever experienced the nightmare of cockroach, termite, or bed bug infestation, then you are no doubt aware that insecticides must evolve to keep up with the defense mechanisms of insects. Emerald ash borer treatment is a continuously evolving process and insecticides are at the forefront of that approach.

Treating ash trees with insecticide requires precision since the larvae of the insect maintain a pattern of eating underneath the tree bark. Insecticide treatment should be a two-pronged process where treatment of the adult beetles and the larvae are handled separately. Systemic insecticides are water-soluble insecticides whose mechanism of application involves injecting the soil around a tree or directly injecting the chemical into the tree trunk. Some of these insecticides can be used by homeowners while other types require professionals to administer.

Imidacloprid and dinotefuran are insecticides that can be applied to the soil surrounding the ash tree. These chemicals are absorbed by the tree and work by poisoning the beetles during feeding. Landscaping professionals can administer these chemicals with both accuracy and safety. These chemicals can be administered by spray or injection and offer a comprehensive line of defense against the insects.

Insecticides that are administered through soil or trunk injections are incredibly effective as this allows for the chemical to reach the insects much faster. This process can only be administered by a pest control professional, which is worth the cost if trees are visibly dying. To prepare for this service, it is a good idea to irrigate the ground surrounding the tree as dry soil can drastically limit the effectiveness of the product.

An insecticide spray is a good idea to apply to ash tree foliage to kill adult insects on contact and maintain the killing process through a residual coating. This is the quickest and easiest way to treat ash trees–however, it is perhaps not the most effective. The spray will coat the exterior of the tree and foliage but will take a long time to kill all of the insects, especially the larvae underneath the bark.

Treatment: Tree Removal

The results of insecticides in the treatment of ash trees against these insects have produced mostly positive results. The efficiency of emerald ash borer treatment is dependent upon how bad the infestation is upon discovery and how efficient the homeowner is in providing the most effective course of treatment. The larvae can also feed upon the interior of the tree making patterns where insecticide cannot reach them. Sometimes, alternative methods need to be considered.

Due to the genetic makeup of insects, it is only a matter of time before they develop resistance to popular pesticides. In most cases, if emerald ash borer infestation is caught early, pesticides will adequately save the tree. If the damage has been done, it may be cost-efficient to have the tree removed and start again. Always consult with a landscaping professional to decide the best course of action–since treatment may be a possibility. If needed, they can also remove the infected trees with ease and discuss new options.

If you choose to cut your losses with tree removal and want to start over with new ash trees, start preventative treatment early. Regular inspections of ash trees will alert you to any signs of infestation and will ensure that early detection will help to save your tree. Regular chemical injections by a landscaping professional, either by soil or trunk once per year will keep your tree insect free. Regular inspections by your landscaping company can add to your inspections by also providing preventive and active treatment against any insects found.

In Summary

The ash tree is a beautiful tree that brings joy to homeowners all over North America and even though they are susceptible to these voracious insects, their beauty should be protected. Professional landscaping services offer protection for your trees and can ensure they remain protected with regular maintenance and inspections. Through a selection of chemicals that maintain safety for trees and provide toxicity to the insects, landscaping professionals can combine their experience with the most effective treatment options that will get rid of insects and keep them away. This beetle is moving to more and more states in the country,

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer • Management • Treatment 0 Comments

Treatment Options for an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

There are two primary options when it comes to dealing with an Emerald Ash Borer infestation. The most drastic choice is removing the tree altogether. This is usually only recommended if the tree is so irreparably damaged that it is dying and becoming an eyesore or is a threat to other trees, nearby power lines or structures.

Often, the most affordable Emerald Ash Borer treatment is chemical insecticides. If keeping the tree in place is important to you, this is the best option. These treatments should be done between March and mid-June to properly kill the Emerald Ash Bore larvae. Depending on your situation and personal preference, you can choose between insecticides that are injected into the tree trunk, soaked into the ground around the trunk, or applied with a sprayer on the entire tree. These treatments need to be repeated to be as effective as possible, so you will need to remember to apply the treatment every year or two to keep the Ash Borers from coming back.

EAB Insecticides used:

#1. Mauget System for smaller trees: Inject and using Capsules filled with Imicide insecticide

#2 TREEage Arborjet System for larger trees: Injection using IV pressurized system with Emamectin Benzoate insecticide

#3 Emamectin Benzoate is a new product which claims to provide up to 3-year protection against the EAB. While still relatively new to our area, this new insecticide has shown good results in eastern US states.

At Liberty Lawn & Landscape, we pride ourselves on using the best and most updated products on the market but at the same time we are very leery about using our customers as “Guinea Pigs” for new products. We will use the Mauget Injection System again in 2019 and if test results for Emamectin Benzoate come back positive in eastern Nebraska in 2020 we will be switching treatment programs accordingly. I am told the costs per application may be slightly higher using this new system, but the overall cost will be much less.

If you think you might have an EAB infestation, here’s what you do:

Have your tree(s) evaluated for their current health.  It is important to have an expert evaluate the condition of your trees and determine the source of your concern.  The experts at Liberty Lawn and Landscape will do the evaluation free of charge.

Assess the importance of the tree (or trees) to your overall landscape design.  If it’s determined that the tree (or trees) in question don’t add value to your outdoor space, it might make more sense to opt for removal. It makes no sense to treat a tree that has no relative value to the property.  Again, the certified professionals at Liberty Lawn and Landscape have years of experience and will help you evaluate your project and make recommendations as to the best course of action.

The USDA makes the following recommendations on their website:

  • Don’t move firewood. EAB larvae can survive hidden in the bark of firewood. Remember: buy local, burn local.
  • Inspect your trees. If you see any sign or symptom of an EAB infestation, contact your State agriculture agency.
  • Talk to friends, neighbors and co-workers about EAB and what they should be aware of on their trees.
  • Ask questions. If you receive ash nursery stock or firewood, know its point of origin and your supplier, as larvae could be hiding under the bark.
  • Know State and Federal regulations. Make sure you understand regulations that govern your state and those you may visit.
  • Know the quarantines in your area and learn to leave hungry pests behind

Liberty Lawn & Landscape Inc will:

#1 Evaluate the health and viability of the Ash Tree(s)

#2 Measure the circumference of the ash tree and produce treatment estimate

#3 upon approval of estimate, treat the ash tree(s)

If you have ash trees in Lincoln, Nebraska, early detection and prompt treatment can save your trees before they die. At Liberty Lawn and Landscape, we have professional licensed state of Nebraska Arborists who can evaluate your trees and let you know more about treatment options for your unique situation. Contact our team of professionals today to schedule a free evaluation of your property.

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer • Management 0 Comments

Emerald Ash Bore – Treatment vs. Removal

Ash Trees and the Emerald Ash Borer

Ash trees are one of the most popular trees in the United States. They cover millions of acres, but ever since 2002, they’ve been vulnerable to an insect that was accidentally imported from overseas.

If you have ash trees on your property, you’re probably aware of the metallic-looking green beetle known as the emerald ash borer. Emerald ash borers disrupt the tree’s ability to feed itself water and nutrients. These beetles can kill their tree hosts within one to four years, depending on the size of the tree. However, if the infestation is detected early enough, a mature tree (with a circumference of 14 inches or more) stands a good chance of surviving and thriving after being treated.

Signs of an emerald ash bore infestation may include the following, according to the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree Health Guide:”

  • Exit holes shaped like a “D”
  • Increased woodpecker activity
  • Leaves at the crown of the tree are thinning/dying
  • Splitting bark
  • The tree is sprouting suckers (young sprouts or new leaves) near its base
  • Tunnels appearing under the bark – these look like wavy lines on the bark of the tree

Your ash tree could fall prey to this insect pest even if you don’t know you have the beetle on your property. Call Liberty Lawn & Landscape to have your tree evaluated for its current health. Liberty Lawn & Landscape will evaluate your tree free of charge.

If you do have the emerald ash bore, you may be wondering: What will happen to my trees? Will they need to be removed? Can they be treated?

Treatment vs. Removal

Once you’ve had Liberty Lawn & Landscape Inc. evaluate the health of your tree, next determine the importance of your ash tree to your landscape. There’s no point in treating a tree that has little or no value to you in the overall landscaping of your property. If the tree is of relatively little value to your property, you’ll probably decide to have it removed rather than treated.

Another considering when you’re thinking about treatment vs. removal is the circumference of the ash tree. You should consider removal if your ash tree is less than 14″ (inches) around. This isn’t an absolute rule, but the recommendation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is that ash trees with a circumference of less than 14″ be removed rather than treated when infected with the emerald ash borer.

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment with Liberty Lawn & Landscape

Liberty Lawn & Lawnscape Inc. can deal with known or suspected emerald ash borer activity in your ash tree in three stages:

  1.  We come out to your property to evaluate the health and viability of your ash tree or trees.
  2. We measure the circumference of your ash tree(s). Remember, the circumference of the ash tree factors into the decision on whether to treat or remove the tree.
  3. Once you approve our estimate, we treat your ash tree with an insecticide that kills the emerald ash borers.

In the case of the emerald ash borer, the soon the tree is treated, the better its chances of surviving.

Insecticides Used For Emerald Ash Borer Cases

Depending upon the size of the ash tree, Liberty Lawn & Lawnscape Inc. uses one of two insecticides:

#1. Mauget System: This method of targeting the beetles is injected into the tree. It uses capsules filled with Imicide insecticide. This emerald ash bore treatment is most effective when used on smaller trees.

This method is environmentally friendly. In its more than 50 years in business, the J.J. Mauget Company has always been a leader in environmentally-friendly ways of treating trees.

#2 TREEage Arborjet System: This method of targeting the beetle infestation uses an injection using IV pressurized system with Emamectin Benzoate insecticide. It’s most effective when used with larger trees.

Like a hospital IV system used on the human body, the TREEage Arborjet system introduces the insecticide into the tree’s vascular system, which is the tree equivalent of veins and arteries. Rather than using spray insecticides that affect the surrounding plants and soil, this efficient delivery system targets the emerald ash borer pests directly. It kills the beetle’s larvae as well as adult beetles that have already emerged.

If your property has one or more ash trees with signs of emerald ash borer infestation, get in touch with Liberty Lawn & Landscape Inc. You’ll want your tree evaluated for health as soon as possible, and the evaluation is free of charge. If you do have emerald ash borers living in your ash tree, Liberty Lawn & Landscape will provide you with a timely, reasonable estimate for emerald ash bore treatment that will minimize the damage so you can get back to enjoying the view from your property instead of worrying about invasive insects.

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer • Tips and Tricks • Warnings 0 Comments

What is the Emerald Ash Borer

What is the Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in Latin, is an exotic beetle that originated on the Asia continent. Also referred to as EBA, the beetle was first discovered in United States in the southeastern region of Michigan, in the Detroit area, during the Summer of 2002.

It is speculated that the emerald ash borer found its way into North America on wood packing material, made of ash, carried on airplanes and cargo ships that originated from the beetle’s native Asia.

The adult beetles eat the foliage of ash trees, hence its name, but cause little actual damage to the tree. However, during the beetle’s immature stage, the larvae feed aggressively on the tree’s inner bark and interrupt the ability of the tree to transport water and nutrients. This often results in bark splitting and the tree dying.

Adult beetles typically come from the previous year’s infestations, sometime in May, but can appear earlier if the weather is unseasonably warm. Females will lay their eggs shortly after emergence. Once hatched, larvae will bore into the tree, leaving visible tracks underneath the bark while feeding. Smaller trees may die off within two years of infestation with larger trees dying off within four years.

Since its discovery in Michigan, the emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees across North America. As of October 2018, the emerald ash borer has been found in 35 states as well as six Canadian provinces. The has resulted in municipalities, property owners, nurseries and forest industries suffering hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

The EBA infestation has caused U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies to mandate quarantines and impose fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs and firewood from being transferred from locations where the beetle is found.

Description
With adult EBA typically being only 1/2-inch long, the emerald ash borer is shorter than the width of a dime. However, on mass the larvae of the bright metallic-green beetle is capable of taking down trees thousands of times its size. The EBA’s eggs are approximately 1/25-inch long and are reddish-brown in color. The immature beetles are white with flat heads and distinct segmented bodies.

The Threat
Ash trees are one of the most abundant and valuable tree species in North America, with the total number of ash trees in the U.S. alone estimated at approximately seven to nine billion.

Source of the Threat
• Infested ash trees.
• Firewood.
• Ash wood products and packing material.
• Ash wood debris, including trimmings and chips.

All of these materials can spread EBA infestation even if the beetles are not visible.

Where the EBA is Found
The emerald ash borer is currently found primarily in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. and parts of Canada, but is spreading rapidly. The beetle has killed or damaged over 40 million trees in the U.S. States of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin as well as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

Nebraska
The EAB has destroyed thousands of ash trees causing millions of dollars in damage in Nebraska alone and tens of millions of dollars in damage across the rest of North America. On June 6, 2016 Nebraska joined its neighboring states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri to find and infestation of the emerald ash borer. This made Nebraska the 27th U.S. State to confirm the presence of the beetle when the Nebraska Department of Agriculture found the EBA during an inspection of Omaha’s Pulaski Park. The agency also found the emerald ash borer in Lincoln and Ashland, Nebraska in August of 2018.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine of the effective areas that prohibits hardwood firewood, ash timber products, mulch, green waste material and ash nursery stock from leaving the quarantine area. If you find the emerald ash borer in Lincoln, or elsewhere in Nebraska, contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Signs of Infestation
• Thinning or wilted ash-tree crowns, possibly with yellow foliage.
• Increased woodpecker activity.
• D-shaped holes in ash trees.
• Splitting bark.
• Shoots, called “suckers,” originating from the tree’s trunk or roots that will often have above-average sized leaves.
• Tunneling tracks, in the wood, under the bark.

Treatment Options
While there is a chemical emeril ash bore treatment that serves as a control measure, there is no sure-fire cure for the spreading EBA infestation. Due to varying pesticide regulations of each state, landowners should consult their local extension office or state department of agriculture for directions.

It is not recommended that infected ash trees be chemically treated as a preventative measure, unless the trees are located over 15 miles from a confirmed infestation. As trees may only be treated with chemicals a limited number of times, waiting until you are in the quarantine area will maximize the number of times trees can be treated.

Treatment of ash trees to prevent EBA damage is done between March and mid-June. This allows the chemical treatment to be dispersed throughout the tree to most effectively kill the beetle larvae. In addition to chemical treatments, since 2007 three wasp species have been used as a biological control in several states.

Other Things You Can Do
The United States Department of Agriculture offers the following guidelines for managing EBA infestations:

• Inspect your trees and contact your state agricultural agency if you see any signs of ash borer infestation.
• Call the Ash Borer Hotline at 1-866-322-4512 or your local USDA APHIS office if you find an EAB infestation. You can find the contact information for your local offices on the USDA’s website.
• Take pictures of the insects, tree damage and make note of the area where you found the beetles.
• Don’t transport firewood from your property or move it across state lines.
• Buy and burn firewood locally.
• Buy kiln-dried firewood, if possible.
• Avoid ash firewood.
• The best preventative emeril ash bore treatment is to burn any remaining ash firewood supply before the weather warms to eliminate the spreading of EBA to live trees.
• Inform others by talking to neighbors, friends and co-workers about the emerald ash borer and what they should look for.
• Learn the point of origin and the supplier when receiving ash firewood or ash stock from a nursery.
• Learn the local and federal regulations that govern the states you may visit.
• Heed the local quarantine restrictions to avoid transporting infected ash wood or live trees.

By Liberty Lawn Emerald Ash Borer • Tips and Tricks • Warnings 0 Comments

What You Need to Know About Emerald Ash Borer Infestations in Nebraska

What You Need to Know About Emerald Ash Borer Infestations in Nebraska

If you have any ash trees on your property, there is a growing threat you need to be aware of. Nebraska is currently in the middle of an infestation that has the potential to destroy millions of trees. Being educated about emerald ash borers can help you take steps to prevent this dangerous invasive species from wreaking havoc on your property.

Emerald Ash Borers: An Overview

Emerald ash borers are an insect native to Asia that first started infesting Michigan back in 2002. These bugs are a type of small insect that is just around 13 millimeters long and only lives about a year in full, but they have caused a lot of damage.

You can identify emerald ash borers because they have a long, narrow body with two bronze-green wings and large black eyes along the head. The adults lay eggs in ash trees that hatch into milky white larvae made up of short, triangular segments. As the larvae grow, they eat the wood of the ash tree and then bore a hole out of the tree to escape once they mature.

Nebraska Confirms Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

When the presence of emerald ash borers was first discovered in the United States back in the early 2000s, the government quickly made moves to quarantine the insects. Sadly, these invasive little pests are hard to spot, and they can be transported around the states through infected ash tree products.

In 2016, emerald ash borers were spotted in Omaha, Nebraska. Since then, they have continued to spread throughout the state. With over 44 million ash trees, Nebraska is particularly vulnerable to emerald ash borers infestations. To try to prevent the spread, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has quarantined the movement of wood from Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Washington, and Dodge Counties.

According to the Nebraska Tree Service, anyone within 15 miles of an emerald ash borer infestation needs to exercise caution. This means that everyone in the Lincoln area may need to be worried for the health of their trees. Treating a tree is usually cheaper than cutting it down, but tree owners need to act fast if they want to have time to treat the tree before the infestation worsens. On average, 70 percent of unprotected ash trees are dead within four years of an infestation starting.

How to Tell If You Have Emerald Ash Borers

The best time to treat emerald ash borers is in the early Spring and Summer, so it is important to figure out whether not you have an infestation. Here are a few tips to make things easier.

Identifying Ash Trees

Of course before you can start looking for emerald ash borers, it is helpful to see whether or not you have an ash tree in your yard. Ash trees are a family of medium large trees that sprout whitish flowers in the Spring. They have distinctive smooth or diamond patterned bark in a grey shade and a wide, branching structure. If you have an ash tree, you may notice that the tree branches and leaves grow directly opposite each other instead of alternating along the main branch. Keep in mind that emerald ash borers can threaten any type of ash, including both the deciduous and evergreen versions.

Signs of Emerald Ash Borers

Here are a few signs that one of your ash trees might be infected with borers:

  • Thinning canopies and reduced leaf growth.
  • New growth of branches along the base of the trees.
  • Damaged bark due to woodpeckers trying to eat emerald ash borer larvae.
  • D shaped exit holes in the bark that are usually around ⅛ inches in width.
  • Bark that splits vertically.
  • S-shaped tunnels beneath the bark that are packed with a fine dust.
  • White larvae or green adults on the trees.

Not all ash trees will show signs of an infestation, so even if you do not see any of these symptoms, it is important to get them inspected by a professional arborist if you live in an area with emerald ash borers.

Treatment Options for an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

When it comes to dealing with emerald ash borers, there are a few different options. The most drastic choice in emeril ash bore treatment is removing the tree altogether. This is usually only recommended if the tree is so irreparably damaged that it is dying and becoming a threat to nearby power lines, homes, or other trees.

A more affordable emeril ash bore treatment that lets you save the trees is chemical insecticides. These treatments should be done between March and mid-June to properly kill the emerald ash bore larvae. Depending on your situation and personal preference, you can pick between insecticides injected into the tree trunk, soaked into the ground around the trunk, or sprayed on the entire tree. These treatments need to be repeated to be as effective as possible, so you will need to remember to apply the treatment every year or two to keep the ash borers from coming back.

If you have ash trees in Lincoln, Nebraska, prompt treatment can save your trees before they die. At Liberty Lawn and Landscape, we have professional licensed state of Nebraska arborists who can evaluate your trees and let you know more about treatment options for your unique situation. Contact us today to schedule your free evaluation.