The universities of Ohio State, Michigan State, Illinois,
Wisconsin-Madison, and Purdue produced a document
establishing the treatment options best supported by
the research data.
Image courtesy of Rainbow Treecare
Scientific Advancements
plan incorporates removal of low-value ash trees
and preservation of high-value ash trees for continued community benefits. New EAB cost
calculators from Purdue University and
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point take into
account these new, integrated approaches to
municipal EAB management.Trees can be preserved for far less cost to the city than removal
and replanting, while maintaining the benefits
of a mature forest canopy.
So, how has emerald ash borer understanding
and management changed in the past 10 years?
Although we are clearly decades ahead of Dutch
elm disease research in terms of understanding the
biology,the effects on municipal budgets,and a full
toolbox of options to combat the problem,where
has that gotten us? New infestations still pop up all
the time,trees are still dying every year in unimaginable numbers, the public perception is still
somewhere between misinformation and complacency, and, all the while, municipal leaders are
reluctant to act. So, are we better off now than 10
years ago? In this arborist's opinion,certainly.While
we,no doubt,have a long way to go for the public
and the leaders to comprehend the issue like tree
care professionals do, we are making a difference.
More mature ash trees are still thriving in EABinfested areas than would be without the actions of
arborists.And although not everyone listens,municipal leaders are beginning to understand the
community benefits these mature trees provide.
Emerald ash borer — while garnishing comparisons to other prominent urban forestry
epidemics — is truly an unprecedented event.
Stories in 2004 predicted the extinction of every
North American ash species, as did 1960s articles on American elms. Only time will tell if
either prediction was prophetic, or sensationalistic. In the meantime, all we can do is continue
to educate the public on the options, and save
one tree at a time.
Brandon M.Gallagher Watson is director of communications at Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements,
and is an ISA Certified Arborist (#MN-4086A).
The "exponential ash tree death curve" model has greatly altered how municipalities manage EAB.
Graphic courtesy of Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements
www.arborage.com
Arbor Age / April 2013
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