Frequently Asked Questions: EAB in Iowa – April 2015

1. What is the Emerald ash borer? Small insects – ½ ” long x 1/8” wide

Larval feeding ‘slowly’ kills the tree because it can’t circulate nutrients

2. What does EAB eat?

Green ashGreen ash White ashWhite ash Black ashBlack ash Blue ashBlue ash Pumpkin ashPumpkin ash

Common ash selections… White Ash ‘Autumn Applause’‘Autumn Applause’ Autumn Purple®Autumn Purple® Northern Blaze™Northern Blaze™ ‘Rosehill’‘Rosehill’ Skyline ®Skyline ® Windy City™Windy City™ Green Ash ‘Bergeson’ Cimmaron ® ‘Marshall Seedless’ ‘Patmore’ Prairie Spire™ ‘Summit’

 White fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus (Ohio, Oct. 15, 2014)

20+ species including F. chinensis F. mandshurica 3. Where is EAB from?

EAB likely introduced in the 1990’s on wood packaging material originating from Asia

4. How did it get to Iowa?

People move EAB

5. Should I be concerned about EAB?

Tree mortality is essentially complete

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6. How do I know I have an ash tree? Two sources to check on tree identification: Common Problems of Ash Trees

Green ashWhite ash

7. How do I know if my ash tree is infested? Thinning crown, dying branches

Epicormic growth, water sprouts, suckers 7. How do I know if my tree is infested?

Adult feeding notches margins of leaflets D. McCullough, Michigan State

Woodpecker activity 7. How do I know if my tree is infested?

Woodpecker activity

7. How do I know if my tree is infested? D-shaped exit hole S-shaped larval feeding

8. For counties not yet known to have EAB, who can help me determine if my ash tree is infested? State Entomologist: Iowa DNR Forestry: ISU Extension:

9. Who should be thinking about treating ash trees? Within 15 miles of a known infestation and the ash tree is healthy Outside 15 miles – treatment may be premature

10. EAB Management Options PM 2084

EAB chemical control (continued) Healthy, vigorously growing, and valuable to your landscape Must be done yearly for the life of tree One active ingredient (emamectin benzoate) is injected every other year Preventive treatments most effective; curative may work if less than 30% dieback of the canopy

EAB chemical control (continued) withinAsh trees within 15 miles of confirmed EAB site are at risk of EAB attack; preventive treatments suggested within this risk zone Based on recommendations from EAB researchers at Michigan State University and Ohio State University

EAB chemical control (continued) Systemic insecticides require time and active tree growth prior to adult EAB activity: –soil-injections 4-8 weeks –trunk injections 2-4 weeks Spring application shown to be most effective for most preventive products

EAB chemical control (continued) Homeowner treatments for ash trees up to 60” circumference (20”dbh) for soil treatments Granular applications for ash trees up to 36” circumference (12”dbh) Homeowner applications once/year Larger trees should be treated by certified pesticide applicator

Canopy sprays not recommended Limited effectiveness Equipment needs Spray drift likely Possible adverse effects to nontargets

11. Pesticide sales offers? For spring treatments, if you live within 15 miles of a confirmed EAB infested site, get estimate for the treatment. Obtain an additional estimate before any work is done If you live outside the risk zone, thank them for their interest and keep their information on file

2014: Appanoose Co. Boone Co. Black Hawk Co. Bremer Co. Jasper Co. Henry Co. Lucas Co. Mahaska Co. Marion Co. Monroe Co. Muscatine Co. Story Co. Wapello Co. 2013: Des Moines Co. Jefferson Co. Cedar Co. Union Co. 2010: Allamakee Co. 2015: Clinton Co. Dallas Co. Keokuk Co. 12. Where has EAB been found in Iowa?

13. EAB response plan? EmeraldAshBorer.html Or just “Google” ISU PSEP EAB

14. What does EAB quarantine mean? Stop movement of infested ash materials (logs, trees, firewood, wood chips) IDALS and USDA APHIS works with commercial wood products industries to comply with quarantine

15. How many counties in Iowa have been quarantined? As of February 4, 2014, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship quarantined all 99 counties in Iowa for emerald ash borer

16. Disposal of infested ash wood? Iowa residents are asked to use or dispose of EAB infested wood within their county Contact your local government or county extension office if you have questions

17. General recommendations for communities? Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Forestry Bureau –Tivon Feeley (Forest Health) –Emma Hanigan (Urban Forester)

18. Current EAB information? National EAB Web site: ISUE’s Web site: psep/EmeraldAshBorer.html psep/EmeraldAshBorer.html

19. Who is a local contact? Your County Extension office!