Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in Johnson County
 
Emerald Ash Borer
 

The Kansas Department of Agriculture confirmed the discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer in Johnson County near the Johnson County landfill. 

 

Found in Wyandotte County in 2012, the Emerald Ash Borer is a highly destructive insect that targets all Ash trees. In the past ten years, this colorful insect has destroyed millions of Ash trees from Michigan to Illinois with damages estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Ash tree infected by the Emerald Ash Borer
There are several telltale signs that would indicate an Emerald Ash Borer infestation:
   
Emerald Ash Borer Symptoms 
  • Thinning canopies: Die back will start at the top of the tree canopy and will progress throughout the tree until the tree is dead.
  • "S" shaped tunnels under the bark: These "S" shaped tunnels are created by the Emerald Ash Borer feeding on the inner layer of the tree located under the bark. These tunnels are visible when the outer layer of bark has been removed. 
  • Splitting bark: Vertical splitting in the bark can expose the "S" shaped tunneling.
  • D-shaped exit holes - the D shaped holes are the exit points for the adult Emerald Ash Borer.
  • Shooting sprouts or volunteers at base of dead trees. 
Prevention

The time to act is now if you are within a fifteen mile radius of the quarantined counties of Wyandotte or Johnson County.

 

There are several preventative steps that can be taken to fortify your Ash tree against the Emerald Ash Borer. Arbor Masters® offers either the direct trunk injections which provides two years of preventative protection or the systemic bark spray which provide one year of protective prevention. Protective cover sprays on the foliage reduce adults feeding on the leaves of trees. In addition, preventative trunk sprays for larvae control can complement our injection services.

 

The benefits of treatment versus removal and replacement of a tree can be a difficult decision. With preventative treatments, mature Ash trees offer a number of benefits including, increased property values, decreased air conditioning costs and contributing to the quality of life in a neighborhood. With the lack of treatment, Ash trees in the areas with known infestations will decline and require removal and replacement. The cost of removing a large, mature Ash tree can range from hundreds to several thousands of dollars, not to mention the grinding of unsightly stumps that can average several hundred dollars. The cost of replacing that lost shade tree, can average $300-500 installed, depending on the replacement size. 

 

Due to the severity of this situation, any tree evaluation for the Emerald Ash Borer should be performed by a Certified Arborist trained in the detection and treatment of insects and disease control. Request a Free Estimate now from the experts at Arbor Masters® for your tree evaluation.
Arbor Masters Tree & Landscape
Chad Gilliland; Certified Arborist
Plant Care Division Manager
Arbor Masters Tree & Landscape
Laura Peterson; Certified Arborist
Plant Care Specialist