By SEN. DENNIS BLACK
Democrat, Lynnville
In May, I wrote my column on the fact that the Emerald Ash Borer had been discovered in the northeast corner of Iowa. This is an insect invasion that had been expected for several years. It was inevitable Iowa would receive the insect pest, for its movement from east to west across the United States had started nearly a decade ago.
In April of last year, the Emerald Ash Borer had been discovered in a load of firewood, and then a year later, in several trees in an adjacent campground in Wisconsin. Now it's crossed the Mississippi, and will most likely continue in its westward movement. Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri have also identified localized infestation.
The normal range of the borer is Russia, China and Japan. Forestry experts suspect the insect arrived in the U.S. in shipping containers.
The ash tree is the predominant shade tree in Iowa. After the Dutch elm disease killed the rows of trees along city streets and in resident's yards, the ash was often the replacement. The tree is hardy, relatively fast growing and in open areas develops a full canopy. The tree is very adaptable to most conditions across the state and becomes well established for beauty and shade.
Now, the borer has been located in Cedar Rapids, where street surveys identified approximately 12,000 ash trees along the city's rights-of-way. As such, the Cedar Rapids Arborist and the Public Works Department, upon completion of a survey, plan on removing "520 trees in 440 locations." Cedar Rapids authorities have identified that 170 of the 520 total were high priority removals due to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions. According to a news release, letters of explanation will be sent to affected property owners, with tree removal to begin this coming winter.
The deep, iridescent green insect is about 12 mm (1/2 inch) long and 4 mm wide. The eggs are laid in the bark of the ash tree, close to the leaves, which are devoured by the insect itself. The bark entry hole for eggs is in the shape of a "D," rotated with the flat side horizontal. The larvae are white.
Should any readers observe the insect or the unique hole in the bark of one of your ash trees, modern chemical products have been proven effective. Being ready can significantly enhance an environmentally safe method of treatment, allowing one to inject the chemical into the tree at its base. Topical spraying is not encouraged, successful or necessary.
I would urge readers to watch the video of the Emerald Ash Borer and the simple chemical method of saving an invaded ash tree at www.treeresearch.org. In addition, questions can be directed to the State Forester, Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines, 50319. DNR foresters are most willing to assist landowners in evaluating any suspected infestation. Should the insect be found, DNR staff will provide you with written and verbal information on treatment techniques.
Questions or comments? Call me at 515-975-8608 or email black@black4senate.com
Recent Comments