Emerald Ash Borer Claiming More Ash Trees

Champaign-Urbana residents may have recently noticed some trees being removed from public property.  In most cases they’re ash trees that have been infested with the Emerald Ash Borer.  The EAB was first found in Champaign in 2012, and City of Champaign Acting Forestry Supervisor Andrew Lamoreux says the EAB population is quickly rising.

"This year and the next two years, that sort of time frame, we're probably going to see the fastest increase in the population," Lamoreux said.  "So, I think the next couple of years is when we're going to see the highest mortality rate."

Lamoreux says the city has approximately 1700 ash trees planted on the public right-of-way, and there are many more planted on private property.  He says about 200 ash trees have already been removed from public areas after showing signs of infestation.

Lamoreux says if you have ash trees on your property you want to save before the tree shows signs of distress, you have two options.  Either use a soil drench insecticide that you can apply yourself, or have a licensed professional apply a soil injection insecticide.  He says it’s much more difficult to save a tree once it shows symptoms of EAB infestation.

Lamoreux says other areas that have experienced an EAB outbreak have lost approximately 90-percent of their ash trees to the infestation.