Professional Emerald Ash Borer Treatment In Des Moines

The Emerald Ash Borer, commonly known as EAB, is an exotic green beetle that wreaks havoc on the ash tree. While the adult beetle causes little harm, only nibbling on foliage, the larvae cause considerable damage because they feed on the inner bark. While the process can take several years, EAB has killed millions of ash trees across the country by disrupting their ability to carry water and essential nutrients. EAB has been positively identified in residential trees in several Iowa counties over the last several years.

With all the buzz about this tree-eating beetle, it’s important to emphasize that your trees can be treated. Many people think that EAB is a death sentence; that all of their ash trees are doomed. That is not true! However, it’s important to take action since EAB is in the Des Moines area.

While Removing The Tree Is An Option, There Is An Alternative

Wright Outdoor Solutions can remove ash trees or apply preventive chemical treatments that may prevent the tree from an EAB infestation. Our International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists can give you an accurate and educated recommendation.

The preventive treatment is effective for up to two full growing seasons and is performed from April through October, providing there is still enough moisture in the ground. Schedules typically fill up fast, so scheduling sooner rather than later is recommended.

If you have ash trees on your property, here are some steps you can take…

• First, decide how valuable your tree is. Trees add value to your property, assist in energy savings inside your home, and more.  One way to determine their value is the National Tree Benefit Calculator. This will estimate your tree’s value using your zip code, the species, and size of the tree, and the type of property it’s on.
• Once you’ve determined your tree’s value, you have two options. One is to remove the ash tree. The other is to use a preventive chemical treatment to protect trees from an EAB infestation. Treatment for EAB is a systematic insecticide to control the pest population. Our process involves a trunk injection with TREE-äge (active ingredient: Emamectin Benzoate). The preventive treatment is effective for up to two full growing seasons and is typically performed from April through October.

Do you still have questions? Read through our EAB frequently asked questions to find the answers you need to make an informed decision today.

Tips for the Future

Be proactive

Anytime you think your trees may be at risk, give us a call. We have experts on staff who will provide free tree consultations to guide your decisions in the best interest of your property.

Plant diverse species

We always recommend that homeowners plant a diverse species of trees on their property instead of several of one kind.

Hire an insured company with ISA Certified Arborists

It’s important to have your trees examined by an ISA Certified Arborist. These professionals are trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining trees. Many companies don’t have ISA Certified Arborists, and oftentimes, homeowners are solicited by scams, like those reported in Johnston, Iowa, in early 2014. Wright Outdoor Solutions is proud to be one of only a few tree care companies in the area that employ ISA Certified Arborists. In fact, we encourage all of our employees to become certified within their first year of employment. We have several ISA Certified Arborists and two ISA Board Certified Master Arborists on staff. And, not to mention, we were the first TCIA accredited company in the state of Iowa.