Emerald Ash Borer Have Been Found in Boulder, CO and are a Threat to All Ash Trees

Boulder, CO 80304 USA, July 15, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in Boulder, Colorado in September 2013. This puts every ash (not Mountain Ash) within 15 miles of Boulder at risk. EAB is an pest introduced through shipping packaging from Russia, China, Japan and Korea with no natural enemies in North America. As a result, it will attack and ultimately kill every untreated ash tree in an affected area.

The Emerald Ash Borer kills a tree by cutting off the flow of water and nutrients in the tree. Most trees die after about 3 years of infestation. The crownof the tree begins to die first as the beetle lives higher in the tree and this area is furthest from the nutrients. The EAB, like many insects, has four life stages: adult, egg, larva, pupa. The EAB larvae live underneath the bark of ash trees, feeding on the layer of the tree's trunk that lies just below, this is what causes the nutrient loss that eventually kills the tree.

For more information on EAB and treatment of ash trees, please visit our website www.walkertreeboulder.com or call Walker Tree Care at (720) 480-0398.

Dave, Walker

If you live within 15 miles of Boulder, Colorado your ash trees are at risk from EAB.  If you have ash trees (Autumn Purple White Ash, Autumn Yellow White Ash, Summit Ash, Green Ash, Black Ash) and they show crown damage, or increased woodpecker feeding these are tell tale signs and you should contact Walker Tree Care immediately www.walkertreeboulder.com.

EAB does not kill ash trees during the first year of attack.  However, even one year of attack compromises the vascular system of the tree.  Repeated attacks continue this process until large portions of the canopy are dead, and the tree is beyond help. Since infestation is not detectable to the naked eye immediately, it is suggested you contact us for an evaluation to prevent further damage.

Application of systemic pesticides seems to be the only effective way to keep EAB from attacking ash trees.  Therefore, Walker Tree Care recommends treating all ash trees proactively, rather than waiting for symptoms to occur.  By the time symptoms such as crown die back and epicormic growth are visible, EAB has already been present in the tree for several years.

For more information on EAB and treatment of ash trees, please visit our website www.walkertreeboulder.com or call Walker Tree Care at (720) 480-0398.