Once again contradictory information about the best course of treatment for Emerald Ash Borer...
The article that leadarrows posted states twice that:
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Once a tree is infested, there is no way to save it.
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But Lanelle's arborist says:
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Yes, there is data to support injection of imidacloprid for EAB. We think the best use here is for trees that already are infested.
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And the course of treatment that leadarrows cites in his last post is clearly for infected trees.
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Here's what I think. By the time you scout borer holes and find EAB on a high-value tree, the tree has already been infected and likely attacked by the most destructive larvae stage of this pest. Since the larvae stage of this pest destroys vascular tissue, the tree is already compromised, and since research shows that borers can "sense" plant stress and attack stressed trees, your high value ash is already a goner.
At best, the soil drenches and/or microinjection of Merit will beat back this infestation, but the damage done will encourage further infestations and require repeated treatment. Maybe if every Ash tree in a large area was treated, EAB could be eradicated in a particular geographic region, say a 50 mile radius. Then excellent scouting and immediate treatment could keep EAB in check. But that isn't going to happen, due to obvious shortcomings in resources and manpower.
And let's face it, lack of public will to stop these exotic pest infestations will doom any effort to eradicate a pest as insidious as EAB. After all, some of these infestations festered for 7 years before anyone noticed. Current government and professional responses are a classic case of too little too late, against a problem whose geographic dimensions aren't even known.
So as the owner of several large white ash, and as somebody who consults with landowners about high value trees, I feel over a barrell here.
Treating ash trees for EAB strikes me as a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" problem.
But I sure would love to be wrong...