Aggressive citywide treatment program helps protect Ash Trees from devastation
Beginning in early April, the City of Naperville will be continuing the aggressive multi-year treatment plan for all healthy ash trees located in the City’s parkways to reduce the devastating effect of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the community.
Since the City started treating citywide for EAB, more than 90 percent of the City’s ash trees are in good shape with only minor or no EAB damage. At this time, only 2,242 ash trees have declined and required removal. This is in contrast to untreated ash trees on private property within City limits, which are either in decline or expected to decline significantly in the next few years.
Licensed contractors will be utilizing three types of treatments for the City’s 14,000 parkway ash trees:
- Xytect – (imidacloprid)
The City will be using this treatment for most trees that are less than 18 inches in diameter. This treatment is applied as a soil injection annually around the base of the tree.
- TREE-äge® – (emamectin benzoate)
Used for larger trees, this treatment consists of a product application that is injected directly into the tree and lasts for two years.
- Safari – (dinotefuran)
A limited number of trees will be treated with Safari. This product is reapplied every year.
If a homeowner’s tree is treated, they will be notified with a door hanger. Treatments will be performed between April and June to protect the trees for this season. By treating the tree in early spring, the treatment moves up into the tree canopy and is ingested by the beetle’s larvae, which kills them and protects the tree from serious damage.
Residents can visit the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/eab.aspx to view an interactive map that tracks the progress of treatment in their area. Residents can find out the size of their parkway trees and what treatment, if any, has been completed.
If a tree in a residents’ area receives treatment this year, homeowners should water these trees after treatment to increase its effectiveness. Any week with less than 1” of rainfall should be supplemented with about 10 gallons of water at the base of the tree. While proper watering is crucial during the several weeks after treatments are applied, trees should ideally be watered as needed during the entire growing season.
Badly infested parkway ash trees will be removed. Residents will be contacted if a tree in their parkway needs to be removed.
“Should homeowners wish to attempt to save their ash trees, treating them now is essential,” City Forester Jack Mitz said. “If homeowners have questions or concerns, they should consult with an arborist to help assess if the tree they have is indeed an ash tree and if they want to attempt to save it.”
Various treatment options are available, and one should weigh the treatment expense with the value that the trees provide in energy savings, property value enhancement and numerous environmental benefits against the removal and replacement costs if the trees are left untreated. A list of qualified vendors is available on the City’s website. If a homeowner chooses to treat their ash trees, please fill out an EAB Treatment Form available at www.naperville.il.us/eab.aspx.
If homeowners choose not to treat the ash trees on their private property, these trees will succumb to EAB and die. Dead ash trees infested by EAB pose a hazard to property, life and other ash trees. Please note that a homeowner with a hazardous ash tree is required to remove it according to the City’s Municipal Code.
Since 2008 when EAB was first discovered in Naperville, the Department of Public Works has been implementing a containment strategy which consists of removing all badly infested ash trees; inspecting and treating parkway ash trees; and coordinating efforts with the State of Illinois, townships and the Naperville Park District. The City’s Forestry Division has 12 certified arborists on staff that are trained to look for signs of EAB presence. More information about the EAB, including symptoms of infestation and treatment options, is available at www.naperville.il.us/eab.aspx.
PN RELATED STORIES / PHOTOS: Local history on PN / Search PN’s archive “Ash Trees”!
PN Editor’s 2010 Columns in the Daily Herald focused on personal experience with EAB.
