Emerald Ash Borer Update
Residents encouraged reporting suspicious trees
History
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in North America in 2002 in the Detroit and Ontario areas. Since then, it is estimated that approximately 25 million ash trees in North America have been felled due to EAB.
EAB was first discovered in Illinois in June 2006, in the Windings near Lily Lake in Kane County. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has since confirmed EAB infestations in several communities within Kane, northern Cook, DuPage and LaSalle counties and has issued a quarantine affecting all or parts of 18 of the northeastern-most counties of the state including Kane. As part of a cooperative agreement with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), IDOA is responsible for EAB survey, control/eradication and outreach.
Identification
Adult beetles are bright metallic green beetles that are approximately 1/3 inch long and 1/16 inch wide. Adults emerge from infested trees in mid-May and peaking in late June and continue into July. Females will lay approximately 75 eggs on the bark of branches from late-May through July. Hatching occurs a few weeks later. Larvae then borrow in through the bark and feed sapwood. This disrupts the flow water and nutrients within the tree. In spring the larvae emerge as adults and the cycle begins again.
Infestation Symptoms
Include canopy dieback, D-shaped exit holes, woodpecker holes in the bark, shoots sprouting from the tree trunks and S-shaped larval galleries underneath the bark.
Geneva’s Response
City officials have been inspecting suspect trees and it has been determined EAB infestations have been identified in all areas of the community. Currently, there are approximately 45 trees that have been infested and removed.
More than 11,000 trees make up the City of Geneva’s parkway canopies. The ash species account for approximately 20 percent of that number. As a proactive measure to limit the possible damage from an EAB infestation, the City of Geneva ceased the planting of ash trees in 2002. As a result of the Dutch Elm Disease that devastated Geneva’s Elm tree population in the late 70’s, the City implemented a tree planting program to diversify tree species to avoid a reoccurrence of another heavily populated canopy devastation.
City staff, the Mayor and the City Council have completed and implemented the City Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan that has been approved by the IDOA. The City’s management plan will follow all IDOA recommendations. The City will remove infested parkway trees that either dead or a hazard and replace with different species as funds are available. Ash parkway trees that are in good condition will not remove until they have declined in heath and are either dead or creating hazard. Residents may treat their own ash trees and the parkway ash at the resident’s cost. If a resident decides to treat a parkway ash tree, they must contact the Public Works Department for authorization prior to the treatment application.
To help prevent the spread of EAB, DO NOT MOVE ash wood or ash firewood out of the quarantine area. It has been determine the spread of EAB can be attributed to the movement of infested ash firewood.
City staff members will respond immediately to suspect sighting of EAB. It is very important for residents of Geneva to be aware and vigilant in inspecting their ash trees for this pest. If you suspect a parkway tree appears dying or diseased or have questions please contact the City of Geneva’s Public Works Department at 232-1502.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting the following links:
Emerald Ash Borer Insecticide Options
www.emeraldashborer.info
www.agr.state.il.us/newsrels/r0727062.html
www.IllinoisEAB.com
www.agr.state.il.us
www.na.fs.fed.us/thp/eab
www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/eab
www.mortonarb.org
