Ridley Park’s Ash Trees and Emerald Ash Borer Information
Ash trees serve as excellent firewood for heating because its bark is elastic and durable. Manufacturers of sporting equipment such as paddles, boats and bats, as well as furniture, have used the wood in production. Due to the wood’s characteristics, it became a popular choice for residential areas of Ridley Park in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, with the introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer in Ridley Park PA and other areas of the state the ash trees have become a vulnerable target.
The Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald ash borer, or EAB, (scientific name agrilus planipennis) is the ultimate culprit of the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees across many states in the US. The first ash borer incident in North America was tracked to 2002 in southeastern Michigan through infected wood bark in open trade shipments. Since this wood-boring invasive species lives in a different ecosystem and different climate, they prey on ash trees for breeding and survival, depriving the trees of water and nutrients until they are unable to survive.
Treatments were created years ago to control and prevent EAB damage. However, the systemic insecticides do not cure the infestation. The pesticides can only act as a preventive measure on healthy trees to contain the growth of Emerald Ash Borers.
Ash Borer Damage Signs and Symptoms
If you are a resident of Ridley Park and happen to own an ash tree, be alert to the standard signs of Emerald Ash Borer to control its proliferation. Among the common signs and symptoms is the thinning of the ash leaves in the tree’s canopy or bark splits that are vertical in nature. Woodpecker activity, S-like formation along the trunk area under the bark, D shaped exit holes in the bark, and metallic green adult beetle visibility also serve as strong signs of EAB infested trees.
Treatments for Control and Prevention of EAB
As EAB has become more prevalent, treatment options have become more available as local hardware stores stock pesticides for DIY application. Be aware that the use of a pesticide may differ from state to state depending on governing policies. You are best advised to coordinate with the local agencies involved or seek professional help of a certified arborist to use treatments for emerald ash borer in Ridley Park PA.
An arborist can identify and assess the overall health of the ash tree and apply a systemic insecticide to serve as treatment and control for Emerald Ash Borer damage. However, when the ash tree is severely damaged, treatment may be non-beneficial. In this situation, tree removal is the only choice. The removed tree should be replaced with a non-ash tree species. If the ash tree is treatable, here is a list of insecticides you can use to control future EAB damage:
- ACECAP 97 Systemic Insecticide Tree Implants (acephate)
- Amdro Tree & Shrub Care Concentrate (imidacloprid)
- Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control II (imidacloprid)
- Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed (imidacloprid)
- Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed II (imidacloprid + clothianidin)
- Compare N Save Systemic Tree & Shrub Insect Drench (imidacloprid)
- Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Drench (imidacloprid)
- Monterey Once a Year Insect Control II (imidacloprid)
- Optrol (imidacloprid)
- Ortho Bug-B-Gone Year-Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control (imidacloprid)
Contact Stein for Treatment of Emerald Ash Borer in Ridley Park PA
Stein Tree Service is the oldest independent tree care company in Delaware and we offer services in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. We are licensed to treat for emerald ash borer in Ridley Park and all other areas of Pennsylvania and Delaware. To protect your ash trees, contact us today. Call (302) 478-3511 to request a free consultation.
