The Emerald Ash Borer has arrived in Kentucky according to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Quarantine regulations have been established for 29 counties in Kentucky to avoid the spread of this nasty pest, which was brought to The U.S. by imported wood from Asia.
This affects everyone who has an Ash tree on their property. Any Ash tree that is left untreated has died or can die in the near future. So far an estimated twenty five million Ash trees have died due to the Emerald Ash Borer’s presence here in the United States.
Ultimately, it is up to you, the homeowner, to determine the best way to deal with this problem. Some homeowners prefer to simply have the trees removed before the Emerald Ash Borer can cause damage to them. Others enjoy the privacy their Ash trees add to their residence and some even add to the value of their property and thus choose a treatment plan.
Canopies with extensive damage mostly likely will not survive if treated. Immediate removal or treatment is the best way to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer from ongoing damage to surrounding Ash trees.
Please contact your local Arborist for more consultation on how to treat or remove your Ash trees. Do not wait until the tree is dead before calling your local Arborist, as this will create a safety risk to tree crews during removal as well as your property. Early spring and summer is the best time to treat your Ash trees.