1. Treat your existing ash trees.  See the article below for Otten Bros. recommendations.  Removal of dead trees could potentially cost more than the preventative EAB treatments available.  
2. DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD - buy it where you burn it.  Firewood transported across state and county lines and even across towns has artificially advanced the spread of the insect. Click here to find approved firewood vendors in your area.
3. Plant trees other than ash.  Contact our garden centers for a list of suggested trees.
4. Arrest the Pest!  Report any suspected EAB infested trees.  Click here for tips on how to identify ash trees, confirm signs of EAB, and how to report it to EAB First Detectors. "Arrest the Pest" Hotline  651-201-6684 - Metro Area or 1-888-545-6684 - Greater Minnesota or email  Arrest.The.Pest@state.mn.us

Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed will protect and fertilize your tree for up to 12 months.  It kills existing chewing and sucking insects and prevents new infestations.  For trees with a circumference of less than 30" (or about 9" in diameter).

Ferti-lome Tree & Shrub Systemic Insect Drench will protect trees up to 12 months.  It will kill existing chewing and sucking insects and prevent new infestations.  For trees with a circumference of less than 50" (or about 16" in diameter)

TREE-äge Injection is similar to giving your trees a shot - just like at the doctor's office! This treatment is proving to be a highly effective, economical, and environmentally friendly option (no chemicals are put into the soil).  The cities of Chicago and Milwaukee are using this product to treat over 100,000 ash trees located within their city limits.  TREE-äge will protect your trees for up to 2 years.  Otten Bros. has certified professionals to administer TREE-äge to your ash trees to prevent EAB. 

"This is as close to...a silver bullet as possible." Jim Bowes, spokesman for Michigan's Emerald Ash Borer programs. 

Last month we asked for your gardening stories.  The entries ranged from  reminiscences of gardening as kids to unique solutions to pesky gardening problems.  Thanks to all of our customers who participated - it was fun reading about your adventures in gardening.

For several months I had anticipated the beginning of gardening season. My yard is my sanctuary and every year I look forward to the planning, the preparation and adding to my growing number of gardens. Each year I have less yard and more garden!

 This year, I build a new flower bed. I planted 12 new hosta and 8 new astilbe in this bed. My beautiful planters included geraniums, begonias, impatiens, gerbera daisies and other annuals. Additionally, I added many perennials to my main garden and laid the first 20 bags of mulch. Sunday evening, I sat back on my patio with a glass of wine in hand and surveyed my handiwork.  My yard had never looked so good so early in the season and I was proud.

 Monday morning, while still in my pajamas and with my orange juice in hand, I walked onto my screen porch to take another look at my gardens. They were gone. All the new plants eaten down to the ground! The deer had a smorgasbord feast at my expense. After my initial shock and after having a good cry, I vowed to never let it happen again.

 I bought the largest container of Liquid Fence that I could find and blanketed my entire yard in that foul smelling spray! Several applications later, I'm fairly certain no animal between Chanhassen and Iowa will step foot into my yard.  We also strung monofilament line around the gardens - as a deterrent for deer and every night before I go to bed, I have resorted to keeping my patio light on and tuning in WCCO talk radio on our outdoor speakers.

 So far so good.