Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer is coming!  That's the bad news.  The worse news is that there isn't an Ash tree around that will survive the voracious appetite of the EAB without help.  This means that unless you take proactive measures, every Ash tree in your landscape, yard, or woodlot will eventually be killed by this tiny, shiny, metallic-green beetle.  To date, the EAB has been confirmed in three southeast Missouri counties (Wayne, Reynolds and Madison) and more recently in Platte County in the Kansas City area.  The EAB infests a tree and tunnels just under the bark and in doing so disrupts the flow of nutrients up and down the tree.  Without the ability to transfer food and water, the tree dies.

The EAB is only about 1/2-inch long and 1/16-inch wide but is 100% deadly to Ash trees.




Photo Courtesy of MDARD


Using the state of Michigan as an example of the destructive power of this invasive species, EAB has infected and killed an estimated 15 million Ash trees since 2002.  The effect has been to permanently affect the landscape in much of the Wolverine state.  Most landowners don't realize their tree has been infested until it's too late.  Symptoms begin to appear after most of the damage has already been done and include crown thinning and death, usually in the upper third of the tree, and sucker sprouts appearing on the trunk of the tree below the height of the dead branches. 

There are chemical treatments available that will prevent your tree from being infested with EAB but the tree must be treated consistently to offer any benefit.  This option should be reserved for trees with specific landscape or sentimental value.  Finally, since the EAB feeds only on Ash trees, homeowners should consider carefully whether to plant any more Ash trees until eradication of the EAB is realized.  Without a source of food, control of the EAB population may be possible.

The Missouri Department of Conservation offers an excellent website to keep Missouri residents informed of the latest news regarding EAB.  Copy and paste the following link into your web browser now and check back often to stay current on this deadly, destructive, invasive pest.  http://www.emeraldashborer.info/missouriinfo.cfm.

Mulch is Good!

A few members of my team and I just returned from our (almost) annual trip to the Tree Care Industry Association conference and trade show.  This year the location was Baltimore, Maryland and the weather and trip were fabulous.  We all learned new tips we will be sharing over the next several weeks as time allows. 

Given the time of year, I want to share with you some of the information I learned while attending a seminar titled "New Organic Soil Amendments/Mulches for Urban Trees" given by Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch of The Morton Arboretum.  Dr. Scharenbroch undertook a study designed to determine the very best way to enhance the beneficial properties of the the soil after modern-day construction practices have left your landscape back-filled and compacted.  His ongoing study will continue to offer insight into the very best way to bring your soil "back to life" after construction and offer your landscape plants and trees the best chance of not only surviving, but thriving!  To review Dr. Scharenbroch's study, copy and paste the following link into your web browser:  http://www.mortonarb.org/urban-soil-science.html.

To summarize, the study demonstrates that the inexpensive practice of consistently applying hardwood and organic mulches to your trees will benefit them both immediately, and in the future, as they try to establish the kind of root system that will allow them to grow, resist disease, survive drought, and reach their full beauty potential.  Please continue to add 3-5 inches of nursery mulch, aged wood chips, chopped leaves, composted cow manure or the composted version of any of these to the area beneath your trees every year.  Remember that the root system of your trees expands about a foot annually so the more area under your trees that you mulch, the more beneficial is the practice to your trees.  Also, NEVER pile mulch directly against the trunk of your trees as this can lead to areas of rot that will allow disease and pests to enter your tree. 

Fall is a great time to work in your yard so GET MULCHING!

Dead Trees are Hazardous

Dead trees are hazardous and should be considered for removal immediately.  The severe drought that's gripping our area has already had a negative affect on our trees and will continue to do so for several years, even if normal precipation returns soon.  Many trees that were on the line between living and dying will be pushed over the edge by this heat and lack of moisture and will die.  As soon as a tree stops transporting nutrients through its vascular system, it begins to weaken.  The rate at which a tree becomes too brittle to safely remove depends on a variety of factors, but the process begins immediately upon death.  For your safety, and the safety of the company you hire to remove a dead tree, begin the removal process as soon as possible. 

Water, Water, Water

Good Afternoon!

As you all know, we're in a record-setting drought situation!  Any tree planted in the last 5-10 years, and even our mature yard trees, need a little help to make it through this extreme weather.  Think of the cost of replacement trees and consider watering immediately.

The very best way to water young trees is to place a 5-gallon bucket at the base of the tree with a small (about 1/4-inch) hole drilled in the bottom along the edge.  Place the hole as close to the trunk as possible and fill the bucket with water at least once or twice per week.  This will allow for a slow soaking of the area immediately around the trunk and give your tree the best chance for survival.  In addition, make sure your tree has a properly constructed mulch ring to conserve as much of the water as possible. To keep the wind from blowing the bucket around your yard, use a piece of string to loosely tie the handle of the bucket to the trunk of the tree.  Remember to remove the bucket when normal weather returns and save it to use again later if needed.

For large, mature yard trees, place a hose at the base of the trunk and set the hose to barely run.  Just a trickle is all you need.  Allow the water to run for at least 12 hours.  Again, you are aiming for a slow soak.  If you see water quickly running off, turn the pressure down a little.  For mature trees, a good soak is only necessary every week or two.  As with your smaller trees, mulch will help to conserve water.