City fights EAB infestation

By Bethany J. Royer Piqua Daily Call Originally published 7/19/2 1!

PIQUA - Most would lay a welcome mat out for Mother Nature, but when it comes to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB many would !ust "refer to see it return from whence it came# $he small %reen beetle measurin% about &' to && millimeters in len%th, with a tellin% metallic %reen coloration and nati(e of Asia, has destroyed some )#* billion ash trees in the state of +hio alone#

,ith no natural defense a%ainst it, the ash can do little as the female EAB lays some -' to .' e%%s, the lar(ae hatchin% and e(entually /illin% the tree (ia tunnels beneath the bar/, effecti(ely cuttin% off nutrient "athways# $his (ery unwanted (isitor was first disco(ered at a rest sto" alon% I-01 bac/ in 2''-, and has %one on to infect ash trees throu%hout the area, with some of these trees in the city either already - or in need of- bein% remo(ed# $his is an issue Bob 3raeser, city urban forester and "ro!ect mana%er for the en%ineerin% de"artment, wants locals to be well aware of as "re"arations %et underway for the remo(al of such trees located in ri%ht-of-ways and in "ublic "ar/s areas# 4,hat we are %oin% to do,4 said 3raeser as he continues to educate the "ublic on the destructi(e nature of the bu% and the on%oin% ste"s to /ee" it under control, 4are about &- remo(als#4 $hose remo(als will consist of not only EAB-related trees but those that "ose a ha5ard to "eo"le or "ro"erty, by a local 6ualified contractor and accordin% to city s"ecifications# All trees that will be remo(ed will be indicated by an oran%e s"ot on the curb side of the tree with residents to also be notified# Not all affected trees can be remo(ed at this time, howe(er, meanin% those who want a tree in the ri%ht-of-way remo(ed immediately are as/ed to contact the En%ineerin% 7e"artment "rior to be sure a certified Arborist is utili5ed# 4,e want to ma/e sure they are usin% %ood contractors, "eo"le who are %oin% to be res"onsible,4 said 3raeser on ur%in% residents to contact the city with a tree in 6uestion (8ee contact information below # $here is %ood news9 the city only has about &0' trees to be remo(ed in com"arison to some &2'' in the city of $roy, and there are some controls in "lace for the EAB, such as the line of ash trees on :lar/ A(enue ha(in% been treated for the last two years with an insect-control soil drench than/s to the assistance of Eric 7a(is, an

International 8ociety of Arboriculture-certified Arborist of $ree :are Inc#, in $roy# $he conce"t behind the insecticide is twofold# 4$he insecticide that is used could com"letely /ill the EAB or it could "rolon% the death, so that we could better mana%e the forest,4 e;"lained 3raeser thus eliminatin% ash trees dyin% en-mass at the same time# $he "re(elant ho"e is the insecticide will wor/ so that ash trees alon% :lar/ A(enue, as well as others, can be sa(ed# <or more information contact Bob 3raeser at 00*-2''=#