Hi,
I have a great ash tree in my front yard. It is huge and I intend to have the tree treated to, hopefully, protect it from the ash borer. Evidently there are treatments you pour on the ground and something that can be injected into the ground or the tree. Sent messages to Certified Arborists tonight and hope to hear back from them soon.
Any thoughts or advice on this?
Do it sooner than later, that bug is everywhere.
They hang around like a bad fart. They are all over. If your tree gets infected, you'll probably have to adios it (sorry to say). In Sparta, they cut all the ash trees in the parks and put them into the local lake for fish habitat.
I moved into my house 14 years ago and have had a tree in the front yard that had leaves similar to an apple tree, so I have left it to grow. never a thing out of it. Right now, it is covered with pears. I'll bet this tree spent 20 years before this year's fruiting. Bizarre things, deez treez.
Our great long block is lined on both sides with beautiful trees, not sure if they're Emerald Ash (I don't know enough about arboriculture). Last year the trees were labeled with dots, green or red. I heard that the ones with green dots were ok and the red were slated for some sort of treatment and possible removal. It would be a huge shame to have to remove the trees that line the block because that is one of the things many people visiting comment on about our sub division. The scenery is like a beautiful landscape painting. I'd hate to see it go.
Tree disease and invasive bugs suck!
Quote from: bigG on August 08, 2013, 07:33:32 AM
I moved into my house 14 years ago and have had a tree in the front yard that had leaves similar to an apple tree, so I have left it to grow. never a thing out of it. Right now, it is covered with pears. I'll bet this tree spent 20 years before this year's fruiting. Bizarre things, deez treez.
Pear trees can't self pollinate. So, it is probably due to someone planting another pear tree nearby.
Quote from: Todd on August 08, 2013, 08:06:28 AM
Our great long block is lined on both sides with beautiful trees, not sure if they're Emerald Ash (I don't know enough about arboriculture). Last year the trees were labeled with dots, green or red. I heard that the ones with green dots were ok and the red were slated for some sort of treatment and possible removal. It would be a huge shame to have to remove the trees that line the block because that is one of the things many people visiting comment on about our sub division. The scenery is like a beautiful landscape painting. I'd hate to see it go.
Tree disease and invasive bugs suck!
I have lived in two communities that lost all of their beautiful elm trees due to dutch elm disease. It is sad to see the aftermath. On the positive side, ash is easier to split than elm.
Quote from: Greco on August 08, 2013, 08:29:25 AM
Quote from: bigG on August 08, 2013, 07:33:32 AM
I moved into my house 14 years ago and have had a tree in the front yard that had leaves similar to an apple tree, so I have left it to grow. never a thing out of it. Right now, it is covered with pears. I'll bet this tree spent 20 years before this year's fruiting. Bizarre things, deez treez.
Pear trees can't self pollinate. So, it is probably due to someone planting another pear tree nearby.
My hypothesis is that the golden delicious that I planted is the cause for my current happiness. they do taste like a pearapple. Whether I'm wrong or right, I'm just happy with the love this tree finally gave me. It's been on the chopping block for years. Sweet salvation!
Quote from: imnofish on August 08, 2013, 11:01:19 AM
Quote from: Todd on August 08, 2013, 08:06:28 AM
Our great long block is lined on both sides with beautiful trees, not sure if they're Emerald Ash (I don't know enough about arboriculture). Last year the trees were labeled with dots, green or red. I heard that the ones with green dots were ok and the red were slated for some sort of treatment and possible removal. It would be a huge shame to have to remove the trees that line the block because that is one of the things many people visiting comment on about our sub division. The scenery is like a beautiful landscape painting. I'd hate to see it go.
Tree disease and invasive bugs suck!
I have lived in two communities that lost all of their beautiful elm trees due to dutch elm disease. It is sad to see the aftermath. On the positive side, ash is easier to split than elm.
My God, you got that right. I had to cut and split a mega elm two years ago. Can't say I didn't earn that wood. (I split by hand, maul, and sledges and wedges) Dang shame to see such a majestic tree succumb like that. Ash isn't the best firewood for heat; but folks with the outdoor burners will be glad to use it. I still have the old basement woodstove. I'm not as lucky in burning green stuff. Doesn't work well in my deal. Six month minimum dry time.
Quote from: bigG on August 09, 2013, 12:34:47 PM
Quote from: imnofish on August 08, 2013, 11:01:19 AM
Quote from: Todd on August 08, 2013, 08:06:28 AM
Our great long block is lined on both sides with beautiful trees, not sure if they're Emerald Ash (I don't know enough about arboriculture). Last year the trees were labeled with dots, green or red. I heard that the ones with green dots were ok and the red were slated for some sort of treatment and possible removal. It would be a huge shame to have to remove the trees that line the block because that is one of the things many people visiting comment on about our sub division. The scenery is like a beautiful landscape painting. I'd hate to see it go.
Tree disease and invasive bugs suck!
I have lived in two communities that lost all of their beautiful elm trees due to dutch elm disease. It is sad to see the aftermath. On the positive side, ash is easier to split than elm.
My God, you got that right. I had to cut and split a mega elm two years ago. Can't say I didn't earn that wood. (I split by hand, maul, and sledges and wedges) Dang shame to see such a majestic tree succumb like that. Ash isn't the best firewood for heat; but folks with the outdoor burners will be glad to use it. I still have the old basement woodstove. I'm not as lucky in burning green stuff. Doesn't work well in my deal. Six month minimum dry time.
I used to heat with wood and split the same way that you do. That's quite a workout. For a few years, about 85% of what I burned was elm. Man, that stuff is tough!
Uff! Burns great, though. Gimme red oak any day. Split it in the cold and it pops apart. I now have a source for thick slab wood and rough block cuts. The Amish have made my burning easy, $10 a pickup load.
For people who don't think this bug is a big deal, they should visit Michigan once and they may see the unreal destruction in certain forests. Scary scenes.
Quote from: howavi on August 07, 2013, 10:40:48 PM
Do it sooner than later, that bug is everywhere.
It's too late in the season now as the damage has been inflicted. We have a dozen ash trees on our church property and we had a arborist give a talk last Saturday. According to him the damage becomes evident in the spring when the larvae hatches. The exit wounds are "pin holes" which are barely detectable especially when high on the tree. Injection is the most viable and should be done in the fall (late September) and early spring.
mickey,
Sounds like you are in the know.
I am having an arborist out (hopefully) this week to do the injections. I hope it is not too late and the tree has not been attacked yet. It has a 60 inch girth trunk at chest height and stands over 30 feet... it is the kind that is round... not pointed.
This is earlier in the fall than you suggest .. vs. September ...
Is it really not worth it right now?
Quote from: TomM on August 13, 2013, 07:31:24 PM
mickey,
Sounds like you are in the know.
I am having an arborist out (hopefully) this week to do the injections. I hope it is not too late and the tree has not been attacked yet. It has a 60 inch girth trunk at chest height and stands over 30 feet... it is the kind that is round... not pointed.
This is earlier in the fall than you suggest .. vs. September ...
Is it really not worth it right now?
That's a nice tree Tom. I think if someone has a valuable tree it's never too late. It already "feels" like fall. I know the eggs are supposed to be "laid" already but as for me I've wasted more money on foolish things! I'd like to know what he is going to charge. We've been quoted anywhere from 20 to 30 bucks a tree depending on the circumference and one treatment doesn't do it. From what I've been told he'll need to come back in the spring and retreat and possibly again and again....
Quote from: TomM on August 14, 2013, 06:01:45 PM
I was originally told a 'treatment' was about $50.00 for a tree and it would be every year. Was told about the injection method (professional application) and a president at a larger nursery told me "we sell it and you can put it on the ground around the tree yourself."
I contacted the current head of my master gardener group (Dodge County) and she recommended contacting a certified arborist found on the Certified Arborist Association web page. I emailed three (the closest ones to Watertown). The Madison one told me he does not treat trees and to check the CAA website. One did not reply. The one in Beaver Dam did call me and they are supposed to come out this week... I HOPE THIS WEEK...
I is to be done each year. The charge from this guy is $6.50 an inch of the circumference measured at chest height. My tree is almost 60 inches around at that height, so that would be $390.00... ? I think I might be off on that amount... I thought it was going to be about $130.00 total... I will have to call him back... aaargh...
D'OH.. I forgot.. that inch number (in my case 60 inches total) is divided by three... so it is 20 inches times $6.50... equaling about $130.00/year...
Update:
Tree was treated today at 1:00pm. (Thursday, August 15, 2013)
I was previously instructed to water the tree (used soaker hose for three days.. about an hour or more of water per day) and place mulch in a five foot span around trunk of tree. Mission accomplished!
Guy arrived about 1pm today. Injected approximately one gallon of a milky white liquid into the ground using a syringe (huge syringe) type device about three feet long. Pushed inch wide needle type device about four/five inches into the softened ground in spots about one foot apart, beginning at outer edge of mulch and working inward, spiraling towards trunk. He said it is the same liquid used to place on ground as the other type of application.
IMO, you could treat your own trees if you buy the substance. The syringe did nothing more than go into the ground about five inches, so you could spike a hole in the ground with a stake and just pour some liquid in the hole.
Instructed to not water for a couple days after treatment and repeat next spring. I may do it myself next spring.
The charge total was $137.16 for a tree sixty inches around at chest height.
Hope that does is, bud. May your big ash continue to light up the neighborhood.
I live a lot further south than you guys (Central IL) and so it's expected that the borer gets to us before you. I too have a couple of lovely ash trees in the yard that I would surely miss if they get infected. Sadly, in my discussions with local horticulturalists they suggest I get used to the idea that they will be gone at some point in the not too distant future. That said, they currently show no sign of infection. I do treat them once a year using Bayer Advance Tree & Shrub protection (dilute the chemical with some water in a bucket and pour it around the tree base). Not sure how effective it will be, but it is a cheap way to ward off the little buggers - even though the experts say their loss is inevitable.
Quote from: bigG on August 15, 2013, 02:01:31 PM
Hope that does is, bud. May your big ash continue to light up the neighborhood.
Nice... 8)
Quote from: TomM on August 15, 2013, 03:01:12 PM
Quote from: bigG on August 15, 2013, 02:01:31 PM
Hope that does is, bud. May your big ash continue to light up the neighborhood.
Nice... 8)
http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/selection/tp/fraxinus-ash-tree-species.htm
I see there are several types of ash trees. If your big ash is lighting up the neighborhood, I assume that it is a white ash. To paraphrase the old Christal Gayle song, I hope the emerald ash borer doesn't make your white ash blue (another type of ash?).
Nat, it was found in Superior today, a little north of you.
It's really bad what this thing does. Dang.
Take care uh dat big White Ash, Tom.
I didn't even know this injection stuff existed.
I regret to inform you folks that my ash trees are officially infected (Central Illinois) and showing signs of their degradation. I suspect I will have to cut them down in the spring and replant some other kind of trees. So the Bayer treatment I mentioned earlier can be officially dismissed as a possible remedy.
Quote from: TomM on August 15, 2013, 01:27:39 PM
Update:
Tree was treated today at 1:00pm. (Thursday, August 15, 2013)
I was previously instructed to water the tree (used soaker hose for three days.. about an hour or more of water per day) and place mulch in a five foot span around trunk of tree. Mission accomplished!
Guy arrived about 1pm today. Injected approximately one gallon of a milky white liquid into the ground using a syringe (huge syringe) type device about three feet long. Pushed inch wide needle type device about four/five inches into the softened ground in spots about one foot apart, beginning at outer edge of mulch and working inward, spiraling towards trunk. He said it is the same liquid used to place on ground as the other type of application.
IMO, you could treat your own trees if you buy the substance. The syringe did nothing more than go into the ground about five inches, so you could spike a hole in the ground with a stake and just pour some liquid in the hole.
Instructed to not water for a couple days after treatment and repeat next spring. I may do it myself next spring.
The charge total was $137.16 for a tree sixty inches around at chest height.
I've been informed that the problem with doing it yourself is that you have to be "licensed" to obtain the chemicals....
hmmm.... I did not know that about the chemicals/license thing... Will have to figure that out.
I wonder if the treatment of my tree was Bayer? I will call the guy.
Thanks for all the info fella's... much appreciated.