Frequently Asked Questions: EAB in Iowa – August 18, 2015 1. What is the Emerald ash borer? Small insects – ½ ” long x 1/8” wide Larval feeding ‘slowly’ kills the tree because it can’t circulate nutrients 2. What does EAB eat? • • • • • Green ash White ash Black ash Blue ash Pumpkin ash Common ash selections… White Ash • ‘Autumn Applause’ • Autumn Purple® • Northern Blaze™ • ‘Rosehill’ • Skyline ® • Windy City™ Green Ash • ‘Bergeson’ • Cimmaron ® • ‘Marshall Seedless’ • ‘Patmore’ • Prairie Spire™ • ‘Summit’ ï‚›White fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus (Ohio, Oct. 15, 2014) 20+ species including F. chinensis F. mandshurica 3. Where is EAB from? EAB likely introduced in the 1990’s on wood packaging material originating from Asia 4. How did it get to Iowa? People move EAB 5. Should I be concerned about EAB? Tree mortality is essentially complete Placeholder Slide 6. How do I know I have an ash tree? Two sources to check on tree identification: • https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=1482 Common Problems of Ash Trees • www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/tree_id.html Green ash White ash 7. How do I know if my ash tree is infested? • Thinning crown, dying branches 7. How do I know if my tree is infested? • Epicormic growth, water sprouts, suckers 7. How do I know if my tree is infested? • Adult feeding notches margins of leaflets D. McCullough, Michigan State 7. How do I know if my tree is infested? • Woodpecker activity Woodpecker activity 7. How do I know if my tree is infested? D-shaped exit hole S-shaped larval feeding 8. For counties not yet known to have EAB, who can help me determine if my ash tree is infested? • State Entomologist: 515-725-1465 • Iowa DNR Forestry: 515-725-8453 • ISU Extension: 515-294-1101 9. Who should be thinking about treating ash trees? • Within 15 miles of a known infestation and the ash tree is healthy • Outside 15 miles – treatment may be premature 10. EAB Management Options PM 2084 EAB chemical control (continued) • Healthy, vigorously growing, and valuable to your landscape • Must be done yearly for the life of tree • One active ingredient (emamectin benzoate) is injected every other year • Preventive treatments most effective; curative may work if less than 30% dieback of the canopy EAB chemical control (continued) • Ash trees within 15 miles of confirmed EAB site are at risk of EAB attack; preventive treatments suggested within this risk zone • Based on recommendations from EAB researchers at Michigan State University and Ohio State University EAB chemical control (continued) • Systemic insecticides require time and active tree growth prior to adult EAB activity: –soil-injections 4-8 weeks –trunk injections 2-4 weeks • Spring application shown to be most effective for most preventive products EAB chemical control (continued) • Homeowner treatments for ash trees up to 60” circumference (20”dbh) for soil treatments • Granular applications for ash trees up to 36” circumference (12”dbh) • Homeowner applications once/year • Larger trees should be treated by certified pesticide applicator Canopy sprays not recommended • • • • Limited effectiveness Equipment needs Spray drift likely Possible adverse effects to nontargets 11. Pesticide sales offers? • For spring treatments, if you live within 15 miles of a confirmed EAB infested site, get estimate for the treatment. Obtain an additional estimate before any work is done • If you live outside the risk zone, thank them for their interest and keep their information on file 12. Where has EAB been found in Iowa? 2010: • Allamakee Co. 2013: • Des Moines Co. • Jefferson Co. • Cedar Co. • Union Co. 2014: • Appanoose Co. • Boone Co. • Black Hawk Co. • Bremer Co. • Jasper Co. • Henry Co. • Lucas Co. • Mahaska Co. • Marion Co. • Monroe Co. • Muscatine Co. • Story Co. • Wapello Co. 2015: • Clinton Co. • Dallas Co. • Davis Co. • Keokuk Co. • Lee Co. • Montgomery Co. (27th) • Poweshiek Co. • Scott Co. 13. EAB response plan? http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pme/ EmeraldAshBorer.html Or just “Google” ISU PSEP EAB 14. What does EAB quarantine mean? • Stop movement of infested ash materials (logs, trees, firewood, wood chips) • IDALS and USDA APHIS works with commercial wood products industries to comply with quarantine 15. How many counties in Iowa have been quarantined? • As of February 4, 2014, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship quarantined all 99 counties in Iowa for emerald ash borer 16. Disposal of infested ash wood? • Iowa residents are asked to use or dispose of EAB infested wood within their county • Contact your local government or county extension office if you have questions 17. General recommendations for communities? • Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Forestry Bureau –Tivon Feeley (Forest Health) 515-725-8453 –Emma Hanigan (Urban Forester) 515-725-8201 18. Current EAB information? • National EAB Web site: www.emeraldashborer.info • ISUE’s Web site: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ psep/EmeraldAshBorer.html 19. Who is a local contact? Your County Extension office!