The Dreaded Emerald Ash Borer Makes its Way to Muncie

For the first time, the emerald ash borer, an invasive, half-inch-long, metallic-green beetle from Asia, has been identified in Muncie, but don't worry - Wasson's can help.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University confirmed two weeks ago, that emerald ash borer larvae were found in an ash tree in Heekin Park.

First found in Indiana in 2004, emerald ash borer has now infested the northern half of the state.  It was first identified in western Delaware County in 2009.

The only way to stop the emerald ash borer is to treat healthy ash trees with insect killer.  Once the borer is found, you have three years before ash trees start dying. 

Taken from a recent Star Press article, “Muncie residents don’t have three years to act in they wish to save ash trees”, said Phil Marshall, director of the division of entomology and plant pathology at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Marshall stated that emerald ash borer have been identified at six locations in Delaware County along the Interstate 69 corridor:

• East of I-69 and north of McGalliard Road not that far from the Elks Country Club
• West side of Muncie, and the infestation could be coming to this area from two directions
• Northwest side of Muncie including the Gatewood and Halteman Village neighborhoods

There are other pockets of established ash trees throughout Delaware County also.

The experts here at Wasson’s can help!

The recommended treatment for emerald ash borer is a systemic insect control chemical called Tree-age (pronounced like triage) by Arborjet.  The charge is $6 per inch diameter of tree with a minimum charge of $50.  Spring is the best time to treat ash trees.

Give us a call today to set up a free appointment!      

Diagnostic Characteristics of Emerald Ash Borer on Ash Trees :

Declining Ash Trees:

• Top third of tree dies first
• Tree dies within 1-3 years after infestation

Exit Holes:

• Made by emerging adult emerald ash borer
• Found in outer bark
• Distinctly D-shaped hole

Feeding Tunnels:

• Made by emerald ash borer larvae
• Found under tree bark
• Zig-zag shaped

Water Sprouts: (suckers)

• Found near the base of the tree
• Usually thick and lush foliage

What do Ash Trees look like?

• Branches are located directly across from each other (opposite branching)
• Ash trees have feather-like compound leaves made up of 7 or more leaflets
• Ash trees often, but not always, have large clusters of paddle-shaped seeds on their branches.  These seeds remain on the tree from spring to fall.