Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
University of Illinois Extension and several other organizations answered questions about the emerald ash borer at a recent Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) event.
Homeowners, tree care professionals, municipality officials, and more attended an EAB open house on Monday, August 10 at Grandview Park in Peoria where an infested tree was recently discovered.
Although Peoria Park officials had the tree cut down prior to the event for safety reasons, they were able to provide samples that day. Tree crews removed another dying tree in the park and placed it on the parking lot for viewing. These samples clearly showed the small bb-size, d-shaped holes where adult beetles had emerged from the tree this spring. Under the bark, larvae were found in various stages eating away at the tree's life giving cambium layer.
Representatives from various organizations were on hand to answer questions. Joining staff from University of Illinois Extension were representatives from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, APHIS-USDA, and Trees Forever. Handouts were available under the park pavilion about ash tree and EAB identification, EAB impacts, control options, removal options, alternative tree selection, community planning, tree inventory, quarantine guidelines, and more.
Although attendance was lower than expected, the event was well covered by area media, including Peoria television, radio, and newspaper. Following the event, University of Illinois Extension offices received additional questions from homeowners wanting more information on how to handle ash trees in their yards.
EAB is a small, metallic green beetle native to Asia. Discovered in Illinois in 2006, it has since spread throughout northeast and central Illinois. It was confirmed in Peoria and Tazewell counties in 2014. EAB feeds only on true ash trees. If trees go untreated, the death rate is 100 percent. If infested trees are not treated or removed, EAB will continue its destructive path moving on to other ash trees—eventually wiping out all Ash trees.
For more information, call 309-543-3308309-543-3308, email uiemg-mason@illinois.edu, or visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/eb253/category_490/
MEET THE AUTHOR
As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.
After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.
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