About a month ago the US Department of Agriculture confirmed Emerald Ash Borer infestations in Ozaukee County, Wauwatosa County and Milwaukee County. If you have ash trees in your yard, they may be in trouble!
You may also want to think twice before adding new ash trees to your yard, simply because they may be a poor investment.
With all of this in mind I wanted to take the time to share some information about the emerald ash borer so that you can protect your landscaping.
What Are the Symptoms of an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation?
There are a couple of things you can look for. First, check the bark. Is it splitting? Do you see serpentine lines or exit holes in the wood?
How are the woodpeckers treating your ash tree? If they’re paying a lot more attention to it than usual it could be because there are tasty emerald ash borer bugs inside of it.
You might also see leaves growing out of the roots of your ash tree, which looks weird and is a sign that your tree is in distress.
Check out the Signs and Symptoms of the Emerald Ash Borer for a visual representation of what all this looks like.
Can My Ash Tree Be Saved?
It depends. It depends on how healthy the tree is, how many signs of infestation there are, and how valuable the tree is to you.
You might want to consult a certified arborist about the possibility of saving your tree.
The “Managing Emerald Ash Borer: Decision Guide” from Neighbors Against Bad Bugs (NABB) will provide you with a nice starting point.
Be Careful With Firewood
If you’ve got a firepit, be careful when you source your firewood. Buy local firewood from an DNR-approved vendor.
Don’t use scrap wood like old lumber or pallets. This stuff can still carry the emerald ash borer. The DNR also warns that burning this kind of wood releases harmful toxins into the air–which is not something that you’d want to serve up with your hot dogs!
You can use this list to find a good firewood dealer near you.
Planting Alternatives
If you don’t have any ash trees but want to add trees to your yard then it’s a good time to consider some alternative investments. The University of Wisconsin maintains an extensive list of trees that you might choose instead.
Are you looking to improve your yard with a new fence, pergola, or gazebo? We use only the finest materials and take the greatest of care. If you’d like a custom designed fence or gazebo then call us for a free estimate today. We use Northern White Cedar, not ash, when we build!
