Emerald ash borer on destructive path

by John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

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Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer is making its presence known in St. Joseph County. (Photo courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jun 3, 2009 at 4:52 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 7, 2009 at 11:18 PM EST

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Arborists and tree nurseries are getting calls from homeowners looking for treatments to save trees damaged by the emerald ash borer. The insect is now in 14 states and parts of Canada, and officials from Indiana's DNR say millions of ash trees are at risk.

It takes hard work, but Lou Miller manages to keep his yard and trees looking their best.

"It gives a nice border around the property, we want to keep them full and looking nice," he said.

But Miller is just one invasive species away from his tree's demise. The emerald ash borer is the reason why.

"Anyone with ash trees has to be somewhat concerned," Miller said.

Officials from Indiana's Department of Natural Resources say the insect is on a damaging path and the state's 140 million ash trees are at risk.

"As far as seeing an insect airborne, no you won't," said Walt Temple, owner of Temple Tree Service. "Just watch your tree — if it [loses foliage] from the top and works its way down that's a pretty good sign of it."

The ash borer is problematic in the northeastern portion of the state and has already made its presence known in St. Joseph County.

"We haven't noticed anything in particular with our trees but obviously we don't want it to start," said Miller.

While it hasn't affected the Miller's trees in Mishawaka, it has affected homeowners in a number of areas — including Granger.

"It's a growing problem," said Temple.

Temple has seen an increase in calls from homeowners concerned about the ash borer's effects on their trees.

He says injected chemicals that make ash trees a less desirable home, are one solution to save the tree.

Quarantines, from the federal government down to the local level, are another way officials are trying to stop this rapidly increasing problem.

"It's coming our way," Temple said. "I think we can get a handle on it."

The USDA put Indiana and Ohio, Illinois and Michigan on the quarantine list, which issued limits on the interstate travel of ash trees and their wood — used commonly as firewood because of the risk for contaminating non-affected sites.

All hardwood firewood like oak, maple and beech fall under this regulation.

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