Sources for More Information

Bulletin #76: How to Fight the Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer is probably the most publicized invasive insect in history. The problem is not so much getting information about it as it is in motivating individuals and communities to take action. Tree City USA Bulletin #76, like all our bulletins, is intended for wide distribution, including reprints available for purchase and distribution, with the purpose of moving readers toward that action.

For anyone wanting additional information about the borer, the following websites will provide instant access to every aspect of this national problem.

The emerald ash borer information site is maintained by a coalition of federal and state agencies, universities, and Canadian provinces. It is the best portal to the widest and most current information about the EAB, including informational webinars and a map showing the current location of EABs.

An excellent presentation about the economic aspects of EAB was made at the 2014 Partners in Community Forestry National Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The slides and videos from this conference are now available online, along with additional links recommended by the speakers. This site is highly recommended.

It is the policy of the Arbor Day Foundation not to recommend chemicals related to tree care. This is because local conditions vary too much for general recommendations, and in most cases local experts should be consulted. However, there is an excellent summary of treatments and commercially available chemicals for EAB in the University of Minnesota’s Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer.

A demonstration of tree injections is available on YouTube that helps with an understanding of this method if you have never seen it done.

Various cost calculators have been developed and are available online. Purdue University offers one that is straight forward and can help urban foresters estimate the cost of treatment options to fight the invasion of emerald ash borers.

Here is a quick link to the key site for the nation’s Don’t Move Firewood campaign.