http://triblocal.com/arlington-heights/2012/02/21/village-establishes-eab-fund-leaves-treatment-to-residents/

Although many citizens are in an uproar over the decision to mortgage the future of the city in order to remove these ash trees that COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED, the truth is there is little else that could have been done by the time that decision was made.  This fact became very evident at a meeting I was invited to attend in Arlington Heights near the end of 2011.  I drove to Arlington Heights from Michigan just to attend that meeting.  A neighborhood group angered at the marking of 177 ash trees for removal without prior news about the problem had asked for a moratorium on the cutting until they could be heard in a meeting.  The city stopped the removal and opened up a public meeting.  It was very well attended by several neighborhood groups concerned about the ash trees in the city.  I was asked to give a short talk on the successes I have had with Emerald Ash Borer Treatment since 2002.

During the later discussion with the City representatives, I heard an amazing truth I had not realized before.  A city cannot fund treatment of trees (viewed as maintenance)  by borrowing with a bond.  The city had a report where they were told that it would cost nearly $12,000,000 to remove and replace their ash trees, far more tha n the cost of treatment.  That would be a one time capital cost and they COULD borrow that.  It seems all too obvious to everyone  that the better financial decision would be to try and treat them.  But the reality was that the wheels of the political machine move very slowly and there was really no way that ANY treatment program would be agreed to and funded and implemented in time.  Taking any money out of “Reserves” is a cancerous activity that is avoided at all costs by most properly run cities.  Other cities in the Chicagoland area that WERE treating had started their process long before and many had already been treating for a few years.  The ash trees in Arlington Heights need to be treated this spring (2012) or it would be too late for many of them.  In some areas of the city it is already too late.  The last chance effort to save anything at all would have to be done by the residents of the city itself.  Block leaders are being solicited to try and get bands of people together to get their particular area treated by themselves with NO cost sharing by the city.

In the meantime they “found” $2 million dollars in this year’s budget (actually coming from reserves to be paid back out of the eventual bond funding) to start planning for some removals this year, and instead intend to “borrow” on the $11.5 million bond in 2013 to address the problem by removing and replacing the vast majority of their ash trees.  While they could not ever be able to borrow the money to treat and save the city ash trees they WOULD be able to get the $12 million to remove and replace.  How is that even possible you ask?  The grim reality is that you CAN get huge sums of money by borrowing and mortgaging your city’s future when it is faced with a catastrophic situation.  Namely the safety of the community when the dying and dead ash trees threaten life and property because they are very dangerous when they die and left standing.  I am reminded of my grandmother’s wisdom in her telling me as a child not to be “Penny wise and pound foolish!”  It would be wiser to borrow the smaller sum now to avoid the huge problem later, but their hands are tied.

But even so, this current municipal problem didn’t have to end in this disaster for Arlington Heights.  We have known since July 17, 2002 that this insect had invaded the United States when it was first discovered in my back yard in Michigan.  Successful Emerald Ash Borer Treatment programs have been in place in Michigan right from the beginning!  Illinois first discovered EAB in 2006 and in the next couple of years it was discovered in an alarmingly fast growing list of cities all documented EVERY step of the way by the Illinois Department of Agriculture at their www.illinoiseab.com website.  There had been several meetings at the Morton Arboretum that I attended where cities were encouraged to develop an EAB Management program if the EAB was confirmed within 15 miles of their city.  Why are cities waiting until it is discovered IN their city before they do anything?  They are almost denying  it would ever get there when the fact is that it was GUARANTEED to get there and kill every ash tree in their city if they did not do something about it.

The following  article is also quite enlightening.

http://triblocal.com/arlington-heights/2011/10/13/village-may-lose-all-ash-trees-to-emerald-ash-borer/

This article brings to light the fact that some people in the decision making area of Arlington Heights were misinformed.  Treatment costs and efficacy are simply not accurate leading to the incorrect conclusion that treatment costs would catch the cost of removal and replacement in about five years.  Start with bad facts and get wrong conclusions.

Now it is too late, and they “have no choice” but to cut them down.  Various Universities and arborists and PhD’s have studied this problem ad nauseum for all the years I have been treating and saving ash trees in five states.  While I was leading the fight against the ash borer and personally landing contracts to treat such cities as Fort Wayne, Indiana, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Downers Grove, Roselle, and West Chicago, Illinois the “studies” have gone on.  While I have been very vocal at my disappointment in our government and our educational community since 2002 when I started treating ash trees, I can now say they finally have it right!  The Coalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation put out a long awaited report on January 6, 2011 where they have clearly contradicted the mindset of Arlington Heights and other cities that are also just “giving up”and removing their ash trees instead of treating.  Here is an exact quote from that report.

“However, despite availability of cost-effective treatments,
many municipalities, property managers, and homeowners
continue to rationalize tree removal as the only viable
management strategy for EAB. This is based on erroneous
beliefs that tree removal slows the spread of EAB, or that
treatment is not effective, economical, or environmentally
sound. Current science supports conservation via treatment as
a sensible and effective tool for managing healthy ash trees in
urban settings. In many cases, tree conservation is
economically and environmentally superior to tree removal.”

For the entire report THAT EVERY CITY FORESTER, PROPERTY MANAGER, AND HOMEOWNER should read before they decide to give up on their healthy ash tree, go to —>  http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/conserve_ash.pdf

I guarantee you that if Arlington Heights had acted timely and had been properly educated that their city 10 years from now, would be looking at the same beautiful ash trees in their parkways that will be gracing the streets of cities like Roselle, Downers Grove, and West Chicago.  Now it is entirely possible that many more cities might have ash trees also that survive but very few others are also treating and some are not using the same treatment methods that I believe in.  I mention these three cities because I HAVE their contracts and I KNOW first hand that my treatments work.  With my experience treating since 2002, I already know (Like Paul Harvey used say) “the rest of the story!”

If you would like to save your ash trees, contact me at Emerald Tree Care LLC.

If you are an Arlington Heights resident or “block leader” looking to find out how to SAVE YOUR ASH – you should contact me for help.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!  Together we can make a difference!

“God has cared for these trees…but he cannot save them from fools” – John Muir

To read the rest of this Emerald ash borer story, go to

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ash-trees-on-arch-grounds-can-go-officials-say/article_693ac616-97ac-5672-9a2f-cb672a886da9.html

To read the report from the Coalition on Urban Ash Tree Conservation go to (1)

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/conserve_ash.pdf

The real reason for removal might have more to do with the long term plans for developing the Arch grounds in preparation for a 2015 redevelopment plan hinted at in this article -

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1824120.html

I first commented on this story in October 0f 2010 -

http://www.savetheash.com/2010/10/14/st-louis-arch-ash-tree-disaster/

You do not have to lose your ash trees!  I have saved more ash trees since 2002 than any other arborist in America!

The cities of West Chicago, Roselle, and Downers Grove, Illinois have all renewed with me again this year!

If you are in my 5 state treatment area and want to SAVE YOUR ASH!  – contact me.  Board Certified Master Arborist – Wayne A. White

Remember this famous quote,

“God has cared for these trees…but he cannot save them from fools” – John Muir

This renewal contract is the third such contract that Emerald Tree Care LLC has received this year from “Chicagoland” municipalities.  Earlier this year the Village of Downers Grove and the City of West Chicago have already renewed their Emerald Ash Borer Treatment contracts for 2012 with Emerald Tree Care LLC.

Emerald Tree Care LLC is offering discounted treatment prices for all residents of any of these three cities (Roselle, Downers Grove, & West Chicago) for any ash trees on personal property within these cities.  Treatment needs to be done during the same time as the city contracts to qualify for this offer.  Contact Emerald Tree Care LLC at their new Carol Stream office at (630) 480-4090 to take advantage of this savings and get on their list to treat ASAP!  Wayne White, Board Certified Master Arborist, is employed by Emerald Tree Care LLC and has extensive expertise in treating ash trees in 5 states.  Included in his treatment areas are the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  It is possible to treat ash trees and prevent them from being destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer.  Since 2002, Wayne has treated more ash trees, and as a result has more alive today than any other arborist in America!  Be sure and tour Wayne’s ash borer pictures to see some of these testimonials at www.ashborer.com/photo-gallery/

More cities should follow Roselle’s reasoning behind treating their ash trees.  To read more about Roselle’s decision go to their website for a more detailed report —> http://www.roselle.il.us/index.aspx?nid=413

Don’t wait until it is too late to SAVE YOUR ASH!  Contact us today!

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

They are following the advice of the Coalition of Urban Ash tree Conservation that posted their report supporting Emerald ash borer treatment over removal on January 6, 2011.

Read their full report here — http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/conserve_ash.pdf

Board Certified Master Arborist, Wayne A. White, is employed by Emerald Tree Care LLC and has treated several large municipalities in previous years.  Two other Illinois municipalities that Emerald Tree Care, LLC provided Emerald Ash Borer Treatment for in 2011, the City of Roselle and the Village of Downers Grove, have also renewed contracts for 2012 with Emerald Tree Care, LLC.   Emerald Tree Care, LLC will offer any residents of these three cities (West Chicago, Roselle, and Downers Grove) a discounted rate to treat their own personal property ash trees for the same contract periods.  Emerald Tree Care, LLC and Board Certified Master Arborist, Wayne A. White, can be contacted in Carol Stream at 630-480-4090 or emailed at savetheash@aol.com

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Make the move to save your ash trees now!

Nearly 200 cities in Illinois have confirmed Emerald Ash Borer infestations!

Call Board Certified Master Arborist, Wayne A. White today!

This usually starts a very good discussion with me as I believe that any good Certified Arborist should help educate their client about any concerns they may have. As it relates to the Emerald Ash Borer, it is important to establish the “15 Mile Rule.” If the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed within 15 miles of your location, you should be concerned and should develop a plan to save your ash trees. If your trees are outside of this “15 Mile Radius,” I believe that insecticide treatment is probably premature.

To determine where the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in your area, look at the Agriculture Department website in your state for what they may have posted. If you are in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Agriculture  has a very detailed list of confirmed Emerald Ash Borer locations. Here is the link to find out how close the insect is to you. They have it sorted by alphabetically by County. As of this last winter, there were approximately 195 cities with confirmed locations with Emerald Ash Borer up from just a handfull in 2006.

Confirmed EAB Locations in Illinois

Now in our fourth year of treating in the Illinois area, the Emerald Ash Borer’s presence has grown from only three cities that had confirmed the insect’s presence to over 150 cities confirmed.  To be honest, I suspect nearly 200 cities will have confirmed the insect by year’s end.  An interesting fact: it is impossible to confirm this insect in a tree until it has been in it for 2-3 years.  In most of these confirmed locations in Illinois, it has been determined that the Emerald Ash Borer has most likely been there for 3-4 years.

If you follow my train of thought, then the REAL map of where this insect was four years ago looks very much like the “confirmed” map we know of today!  And where this insect is today won’t show up on any map for another 3-4 years.  More than likely, at this very moment, the Emerald Ash Borer is probably present in nearly every community in every county in Illinois.  We just haven’t found it yet!

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!

If the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed within 15 miles of your home, then you need to start considering a professional treatment program.  Wayne A. White, Board Certified Master Arborist of Emerald Tree Care, LLC, has treated more ash trees since 2002 than anyone else. As a result, I have more ash trees alive today than any other arborist in America!

SAVE YOUR ASH!

Contact Emerald Tree Care, LLC today for your free ash tree inspection and recommendation.

The Emerald Ash Borer adults begin to emerge in late May and continue throughout July.  Their food source are only ash leaves for about a week until they are old enough to mate.  Feeding nearly comes to a halt as they focus on mating before they die 10-14 days later.  Every female ash borer will successfully lay about 60-95 eggs during that time, having done so within her flight range of about a half mile radius of where she emerged.   The eggs hatch in 7-10 days.  These newly hatched larva burrow through the ash bark and start feeding on the phloem of the tree.  Continued feeding by more and more of these Emerald Ash Borer larvae essentially cut off the flow of sugars to various parts of the tree.  Eventually, this feeding over a couple of years will girdle the tree, slowly killing it by stopping this vital supply line. The first signs of a problem surface in the thinning of the crown of the tree, and within time, lead to the eventual death of the entire ash tree itself.

Thankfully today, due to early efforts of a few Michigan arborists like Board Certified Master Arborist Wayne A. White, saving our ash trees from guaranteed death is no longer a dream.  As documented on websites like www.treeresearch.org, these early success stories are a shining example of how arborists can now save ash trees with early treatment.

If ash borers are confirmed to be within a 15 mile radius of a healthy tree, treatment is suggested as these treatments work better as a prevention, not as a cure.  Once a tree has noticeably declined from Emerald Ash Borer damage, it will be more difficult to save. Preventative treatment is always the best, as it will stop the damage before it even starts. Emerald Tree Care, LLC is working throughout these newly infested areas saving thousands of ash trees throughout multiple states in the midwest using its state-of-the-art “no drill system” to treat both the tree and surrounding soil.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!

Contact Emerald Tree Care, LLC and Board Certified Master Arborist Wayne A. White today and get your trees inspected.  Ask about our 100% Money-Back Guarantee!

These insects prefer green and black ash, so these species of ash trees are usually attacked first. White ash are attacked later than green and black ash.  Blue ash have proven to be even more resistant, and Wayne White has been able to document that a relatively rare variety of red ash seems to be the most resistant.  Even the blue ash and red ash will succumb with time.

Homeowners are urged to start a preventative treatment program as soon as an infestation is reported within a 15-mile radius of their location. Prevention is the best way to battle this pest, since visible signs of infestation may not show up for three years or more.

Emerald Tree Care, LLC will be able to provide an effective treatment for protecting your ash trees from this damaging insect. We combine a soil treatment with a tree trunk injection to introduce insecticide systemically to your tree. A specially designed hypodermic needle is used to inject insecticide underneath the bark. The insecticide is then trans-located throughout the tree within the exact areas where these pests eventually feed.   Yearly treatments are recommended when you are in an area of increasing insect populations.

Homeowners who live within 15 miles of where an infestation has been confirmed by their state’s Agriculture Department are encouraged to contact Emerald Tree Care, LLC and Board Certified Master Arborist Wayne A. White to ask about their Emerald Ash Borer treatment programs. Trees that are treated early have a better chance of recovery and survival.

Emerald Tree Care, LLC offers  professional Emerald Ash Borer treatment in the five states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  Be sure and contact us before it is too late!

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle species that originates from Asia. It made its first appearance in North America around the end of the 20th century and is spreading fast. The insect starts emerging from whatever ash tree it overwinters in, when the accumulated degree days in a particular area reaches 450-500.

The newly emerged beetles feed on only ash leaves for about a week until they are mature enough to mate.  Then when old enough to seek a mate, they virtually stop feeding and focus on mating and laying eggs for the rest of their 2-3 week life.  The female lays its eggs in the fissure of the bark. When the eggs hatch 7-10 days later, the larvae burrow through the bark to the soft tissue (phloem) underneath which the tree uses to transport sugar throughout the tree.  As they devour this carbohydrate rich tissue, the tree loses it ability to store the current year’s sugar being produced by the leaves through daily photosynthesis.  Then the following year the tree may be unable to draw from it’s normal sugar reserves when it attempts to “leaf out” in the spring.   It can take several years from the initial infestation for any visible damage to show, making it difficult to diagnose and prevent.

Emerald Ash Borer Prevention is necessary for all ash trees that are situated in or close to affected areas. So the first step in determining the level of danger is to know if an infestation has been reported nearby.  The generally accepted “Danger Zone” is within a 15-mile radius or less. If that is the case, a preventive treatment is strongly recommended.

This kind of treatment consists typically of two phases, a soil and trunk treatment. In the first phase, in April, the soil around the trees is treated with an insecticide, fertilizer, and a root stimulant. In May or June, the second phase consists of injecting an insecticide directly under the bark of the ash trees. If this prevention schedule is repeated for at least four to five years, chances are good that minor infestations are stopped and the loss of your ash trees can be avoided completely.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110614/news/706149788/

Board Certified Master Arborist Wayne White, employed by Emerald Tree Care LLC, has had extensive experience treating preventatively for the Emerald Ash Borer in the five states he is licensed in to treat (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin).  Starting back at “Ground Zero” for the Emerald Ash Borer in Michigan in 2002, Wayne White was able to start treatments for Emerald Ash Borer that have stood the test of time.  The Somerset Collection in Troy, Michigan is one of those sites.  Nearly 300 ash trees have survived at this site at the corner of Big Beaver Rd and Coolidge highway.  The City of Troy, Michigan lost over 18,000 of it’s city parkway ash trees to this foreign invasive insect.  Yet many visitors, from arborists to various City managers in other states, have traveled to tour this site and see these ash, which have not only survived but are flourishing!  If you have an ash tree that you don’t want to lose, contact Wayne White, Board Certified Master Arborist at (877) SAVEASH or (877) 728-3274 or simply fill in the CONTACT ME NOW box to the right—->

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!