Emerald Ash Borer: Then & Now

Wright Outdoor Solutions has stopped performing preventive treatments for emerald ash borer (EAB) until the growing season begins next spring. Here’s some information about the status of EAB in the Des Moines area.

LOOKING BACK

Comparing how EAB affected Des Moines area residents last season versus this season is night and day. To date, we’ve injected thousands of trees to prevent the infestation. Only about 50 injections were performed last season. This shows how serious homeowners and business owners are getting about preventing EAB, and how much they value the trees they have on their properties.

But our area is no stranger to the loss of a significant amount of trees. Ash trees were planted to replace the devastating loss of thousands of elm trees when Dutch elm disease hit Iowa in the late fifties and early sixties. This is a good reminder for us all that planting a diverse species instead of several of one kind is key.

THE REASON FOR STOPPING TREATMENTS

We’ve stopped performing injections to ash trees for the rest of the season because of soil conditions. When ash trees begin to turn color in the fall, they’ve stopped or at least slowed down their uptake of water from the soil. We need water uptake in order to move the preventive insecticide into the woody fiber of the tree.

LOOKING AHEAD

We’ll begin treatments again in the spring when the leaves begin to grow back on the trees, which will probably be early to mid-May.

With the confirmation of EAB in some of our closest counties (Jasper, Boone and Story), we’re concerned about the Des Moines metro area.

If you are interested in preventive treatments for your ash trees in the spring, give us a call at 515.987.0800 or request a quote online. While we can’t perform the injection now, we can get you on our schedule. Remember that it’s always important to have your trees examined and worked on by an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist because we’re trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining your trees.

For more information on EAB, click here.