Emerald Ash Borer Impacting Trees from Wisconsin State Line to Champaign and Vermilion Counties, IAA Reports

ANTIOCH, IL, January 14, 2011

Illinois residents have been hearing about emerald ash borer (EAB) since 2006. Neighborhoods and municipalities now being impacted may find relief from federal funding and the work of Certified Arborists, the Illinois Arborists Association (IAA) reports. All or part of 25 Illinois counties - from the Wisconsin state line as far south as Champaign and Vermilion Counties - have confirmed or are likely to confirm cases of EAB. It is expected every county in the state will eventually be impacted, threatening the state's more than 100 million ash trees.

According to IAA President Mark Younger, damaged trees provide an economic hardship on home owners, neighborhoods and communities.

"The loss of urban forests and those benefits healthy trees provide is just one concern," Younger said. "There is also the expense of removing and replacing trees, an added budget cost for a community which is made more difficult in a challenging economy. That's why grant money is so important."

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin led efforts to secure $1 million in funding to assist communities in reforestation efforts in response to EAB. Information on how communities can apply for funding is available through http://www.illinoisarborist.org.

Emerald ash borer is a beetle first discovered in Michigan in 2002. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. It spread to northern Illinois in 2006 and has impacted more than a dozen states.

Homeowners and civic leaders asking questions about their own trees and EAB are encouraged to contact an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. Certified Arborists can assess trees, provide counsel on treatment and next steps, and ensure the safety of home and property should any trees need to be removed.

Moving forward, Younger suggests cities and municipalities avoid overplanting one specific type of tree. "When Dutch Elm disease hit, entire neighborhoods and communities were devastated," he said. "Many areas turned to planting ash trees and now face this new challenge. No more than 15% is a good limit for any one species of tree in an area to avoid major problems when issues arise."

To locate a Certified Arborist in your area, contact the IAA at (877) 617-8887 or visit http://www.illinoisarborist.org.

Illinois Arborist Association background
The Illinois Arborist Association is a non-profit organization that educates members and the general public in proper tree care. IAA supports research on trees and is based on the mission to "Foster interest, establish standards, exchange professional ideas and pursue scientific research in Arboriculture."