Emerald Ash Borer FAQ
In addition to the Frequently Asked Questions information, please find below a summary of facts associated with EAB in Mequon:
Infected trees typically die within 3-5 years of infestation.
Studies have shown that communities will generally have all of their untreated ash trees die within ten years of the first signs of infestation -- slowly at first but with a dramatic increase in annual tree loss after year five. (Coalition, Copyright © 2012-2014)
EAB typically spreads approximately ½ mile per year.
The City’s documented tree inventory includes 16,768 public street trees (not all areas of the City are inventoried). Of that inventory, 28% of the trees are ash trees (4,723 in 2011).
Based upon hyper-spectral mapping, the City’s tree canopy consists of 159,658 trees. Of that inventory, 28% of the City’s overall tree canopy is ash trees (44,460 in total).
The majority of the ash trees are 12-18” in diameter (29,108), with an additional 15,072 less than 12” in diameter and 280 over 18” in diameter.
The Tree Board and Common Council will adopt an EAB program. As updates are available, updated information will be posted to the website. Check back for additional information.
Some of the ongoing efforts include:
- Grant applications
- Routine inspection of the City’s tree canopy
- Removal of ash trees as a part of the normal tree removal operations Starting in 2015, focused efforts for mechanized removal of ash trees on roads scheduled for reconstruction as a part of the annual road program
- Increased education to the public, including providing resources for private homeowners to address ash trees on their properties
- Completing the tree inventory on City property outside of the limits of the existing tree inventory
The City has been proactive in diversifying its tree inventory and preventing further infestation within new developments in the City. Landscape plans include designation of tree types, where new ash trees are avoided and utilization of a variety of trees is encouraged.
EAB is now considered the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. State and federal agencies have made this problem a priority. Homeowners can also help by carefully monitoring their ash trees for signs and symptoms of EAB throughout the year. - See more at: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/faq.cfm#sthash.LEoBuKpy.dpuf
Early infestations of emerald ash borer are nearly impossible to detect as the tree does not immediately show outward symptoms; however, as the infestation grows,the tree will decline and ultimately die.
An EAB infestation is generally first detected by the yellowing and dropping of leaves in the upper canopy of the tree. And as the infestation progresses, more branches will die and the tree will sprout new shoots from the lower trunk to replace them.
After the first year of infestation, small D-shaped exit holes (approximately 1/8 inch in diameter) will appear on the trunk as the mature beetles exit the tree to begin the next egg-laying cycle. Splits in the bark may then develop revealing the damaged phloem layer beneath. Woodpecker holes are also common in an infected tree as the birds search for the larvae.
Arborists and other tree management officials generally use the percentage and location of canopy damage and branch dieback to determine whether an infected ash tree is treatable and worth saving. A homeowner would be wise to assume that if there are diseased ash trees nearby, his or her tree(s) is also probably infested even if it is not yet showing the symptoms.
The canopy of infested trees begins to thin above infested portions of the trunk and major branches because the borer destroys the water and nutrient conducting tissues under the bark. Heavily infested trees exhibit canopy die-back usually starting at the top of the tree. One-third to one-half of the branches may die in one year. Most of the canopy will be dead within 2 years of when symptoms are first observed. Sometimes ash trees push out sprouts from the trunk after the upper portions of the tree dies. Although difficult to see, the adult beetles leave a "D"-shaped exit hole in the bark, roughly 1/8 inch in diameter, when they emerge in June. - See more at: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/faq.cfm#sthash.LEoBuKpy.dpuf
Once an ash tree loses over 50% of its canopy, it is not treatable, according to scientific consensus. Once an ash tree dies, it does not maintain its structural integrity compared to other tree species like oaks or the American elms that were killed from Dutch elm disease. Homeowners should have dead ash trees removed as soon as possible. A dead ash can drop large limbs and may fail in wind or ice storms. Property damage, power outages and human injuries may occur.
An important aspect of readiness planning is determining how infested wood will be handled when EAB appears, noting that quarantines will restrict its movement. Who will cut and haul the steady stream of dead and dying trees? Is there an accessible, secured site big enough to store and sort hundreds to thousands of trees and the associated brush and chips, including that coming from private property? How will wood be disposed of or utilized? Do you have equipment capable of handling the amount and size of ash trees your tree inventory has identified? Are you prepared to contract? Removal and disposal costs can be reduced with advance planning.
The economics of treating ash trees with insecticides for EAB protection are complicated. Factors that can be considered include the cost of the insecticide and expense of application, the size of the trees, the likelihood of success, and potential costs of removing and replacing the trees. Until recently, insecticide products had to be applied every year. A new product Tree Age, that is effective for two years or even longer (emamectin benzoate) has altered the economics of treating ash trees.
Benefits of treating trees can be more difficult to quantify than costs. Landscape trees typically increase property values, provide shade and cooling, and contribute to the quality of life in a neighborhood.
It is also worth noting that the size of EAB populations in a specific area will change over time. Populations initially build very slowly, but later increase rapidly as more trees become infested. As EAB populations reach their peak, many trees will decline and die within one or two years. As untreated ash trees in the area succumb, however, the local EAB population will decrease substantially. Scientists do not yet have enough experience with EAB to know what will happen over time to trees that survive the initial wave of EAB. Ash seedlings and saplings are common in forests, woodlots, and right-of-ways, however, and it is unlikely that EAB will ever completely disappear from an area. That means that ash trees may always be at some risk, but it seems reasonable to expect that treatment costs could eventually decrease as pest pressure declines after the EAB wave has passed.
EAB will compromise urban tree canopy. Tree benefits, such as storm water moderation, lowered energy costs, improved air quality, and shading & protection from ultraviolet radiation, will be reduced unless canopy is promptly restored through tree planting. (For Communities)
Recent research shows that the beetle can have a one- or two-year life cycle. Adults begin emerging in mid to late May with peak emergence in late June. Females usually begin laying eggs about 2 weeks after emergence. Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks, and the tiny larvae bore through the bark and into the cambium - the area between the bark and wood where nutrient levels are high. The larvae feed under the bark for several weeks, usually from late July or early August through October. The larvae typically pass through four stages, eventually reaching a size of roughly 1 to 1.25 inches long. Most EAB larvae overwinter in a small chamber in the outer bark or in the outer inch of wood. Pupation occurs in spring and the new generation of adults will emerge in May or early June, to begin the cycle again. - See more at: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/faq.cfm#sthash.LEoBuKpy.dpuf
EAB adults can fly at least 1/2 mile from the tree where they emerge. Many infestations, however, were started when people moved infested ash nursery trees, logs, or firewood into uninfested areas. Shipments of ash nursery trees and ash logs with bark are now regulated, and transporting firewood outside of quarantined areas is illegal, but transport of infested firewood remains a problem. Do not move any ash firewood or logs outside of a quarantined area. - See more at: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/faq.cfm#sthash.LEoBuKpy.dpuf
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Contact Information
Public Works Building
10800 N Industrial Drive
Mequon, WI 53092
Winter Hours October - May
7:00AM-3:30 PM Monday-Friday
Summer Hours May-October
6:30AM-3:30PM Monday -Thursday
6:30AM-10:30AM Friday
*If you have an emergency after hours, please call the non-emergency Police Department number at 262-242-3500. Dispatch is in contact with the Department of Public Works, and can direct the response as required.
Ren Schlereth
Administrative Assistant
Parks/Public Works/Water Utility
(262) 236-2913
Engineering Hours & Address:
8:30am-4:30pm*
11333 N Cedarburg Road
Mequon, WI 53092
Kristen Lundeen
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
(262) 236-2938
Cole McCraw
Assistant City Engineer
(262) 236-2957
Kaye Redeker
Administrative Assistant - Engineering
(262) 236-2934