Services and FAQs

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Confirm your tree is an Ash tree. EAB will only impact varieties of Ash (genus Fraxinus).  The following link is helpful for identification. http://www.emeraldashborer.info/documents/E-2942.pdf

 Ash species attacked by emerald ash borer include green (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), white (F. americana), black (F. nigra), and blue (F. quadrangulata), as well as horticultural cultivars of these species. Green and white ash are the most commonly found ash species in the Midwest with blue ash being rare.  Different cultivars of true Ash trees are susceptible. 

While other woody plants, such as mountainash and pricklyash, have “ash” in their name, they are not true ash, or Fraxinus species. Only true ash are susceptible to attack by emerald ash borer. 

Once EAB has been found within 15 miles of your area, your trees are at risk and treatment needs to begin if you want to save your tree. Symptoms of infestation take time to develop are often not noticed until 2 or 3 years after infestation.  

EAB is under reported in smaller towns and rural areas, so you might be at risk even if you're outside of the reported area. The below link shows current distribution of EAB.

 Emerald Ash Borer Status (arcgis.com) 

The download below explains the process. (Courtesy of Rainbow Treecare)

Yes. There are 3 approaches.

1. Wait and see what happens. Maybe you'll get lucky?  (your tree will die and you'll eventually have to remove it)

2. Proactively remove your tree. (your tree will still die, but you can get a quicker start at growing another).

3. Treat your tree. This will keep it alive for years to come. 

Untreated trees have a 99% mortality rate once EAB has been identified in the area. 

Self-treated soil drench treatment needs to be reapplied yearly. 

Injections are effective for 2 years.  We use systemic pesticides that remain in the tree over multiple seasons. Once infestation pressure from EAB is reduced, it's possible that treatments could extend to 3 years. This will depend on current guidance form MDA (Minnesota Department of Agriculture) and other organizations. 

Self-treatments are typically applied in the spring as per the manufacturer's label. 

Trunk injections can generally be made any time during full canopy. The best time to treat Ash trees is from May through October when trees are most active, and water or nutrients are actively flowing in the tree. The larval (damaging) stage of EAB does its worst from August through October.  

Yes. As long as the tree is actively transpiring, treatments can be applied using injections. Since they are internal, there is no risk of the chemical washing or drifting away. (Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers.)

Weather, temperature, humidity, light, and time of day will impact plant transpiration and how long the treatment will take, but treatments can still be applied. 

How valuable is your tree? Trees can have significant financial benefits. Heating and cooling reduction and property value increase:  

• Properly placed trees can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and heating cost by 20 to 50%. (USDA)
• Trees placed properly for windbreak protection can cut the energy used for heating up to 30%.

Environmental benefits are well documented and include storm water runoff reduction, wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration. 

Lastly, what is the sentimental value. Did you plant it and watch it grow, or does it have a swing where your children play? 

How healthy is your tree? 30% reduction in the canopy is the general rule and 50% is the minimum. Anything less and you'll want to consider replacement.

Yes. The treatment process involves drilling small holes (<1/4") evenly spaced around the tree circumference to allow for proper distribution and working with the trees natural processes. Not high pressure injections, which can damage tree tissue. 

Our injections only target the treated tree, where soil drench and foliar spray can result in pesticide leaching or drift if not properly applied.   

Because the treatment is applied inside the tree, the tree/yard is safe for pets and children to be near immediately after treatment. 

Treatment varies depending on the size of the tree but can be anywhere from $150 to $250 for the average tree in the area.  Pricing is based on the diameter of the tree. 

Yes. The soil drench method of treatment is effective. This has a narrower window of treatment (April-May).  This method is most effective on trees less than 15 in DBH and needs to be done annually.  Variables such as tree size and soil type will impact this treatment success. There is also an increased risk for pollinators and personal chemical exposure.  With trees larger than 15 inches, injection is the recommended treatment.  Injection can also be done on smaller trees if desired. 

The active ingredient needed for soil drench is typically imidacloprid or dinotefuran.  Look for this or ask your local hardware store or click this link for the granular: https://amzn.to/3wpUsYM or this for the liquid: https://amzn.to/4aZ5mnj

This depends on a few variables. Current weather, time of day, drought conditions, and tree size can all impact chemical uptake.  Typically, treatment takes 15-20 minutes but can take much longer at times.  

The chemical we use is water-based (not oil) and will rapidly move into the trees tissue. This eliminates the need for larger holes, reservoirs, or plugs. 

Your tree will look exactly the same.  There will be small drill shavings around the tree, but these will quickly decompose. The required drill holes are about the size of a pencil eraser and will quickly heal. 

No.  New research is showing an approximately 7X greater  likelihood of wounding and a larger wound area due to improperly placed plugs compared to trees treated with the plug-less  systems (Hauer, et al. 2022) 

99% effective. If your tree is in good health, a properly applied treatment will keep it that way if reapplied every 2 years. 

No. Once tissue is dead, it will not regenerate. Trees can heal wounds but will not regenerate dead limbs.