Important “Pre-Spring Cleaning” Could Save Thousands Of Trees

Destroy The Destroyer, Recommends The Morton Arboretum

LISLE, IL (March 15, 2006) – Do your part to help trees: throw another log on the fire.

With old man winter hanging on, The Morton Arboretum recommends owners of homes and businesses take advantage of colder weather by burning all remaining supplies of stored firewood. This would destroy any Emerald ash borer (EAB) that might be present in the logs – pests that would otherwise emerge to attack ash trees in spring. Ash trees account for nearly 20-percent of all trees in Chicagoland urban landscapes.

The pest killed at least 15 million ash trees in 30 Michigan counties, causing at least $11.6-million in losses. EAB has also been found in 14 Ohio counties, at least seven Indiana counties, and small infestations occurred in Virginia and Maryland. EAB apparently came from Asia and was first detected in the United States in Michigan in 2002.

For the second year in a row, an Arboretum-led detection survey found no sign of the killer pest in Northeastern Illinois ash trees. However, Arboretum experts warn that the Emerald ash borer remains a threat.

Illinois is “definitely at risk” for finding an EAB infestation, said Fredric Miller, Ph.D., Arboretum Research Associate.

The $30,000 federally-funded Arboretum survey is likely to be repeated this year. Experts establish “trap trees” in forested areas to attract the borers. Researchers monitor the trees throughout the summer and dissect the trees in the fall.  Last year, 160 such “trap trees” were set up at nearly 100 sites through DuPage, Will, Kendall, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Winnebago, Boone, and a few parts of Cook counties. Approximately 36 forest preserve districts, park districts, municipalities and other land managers generously provided cooperation and assistance.

The half-inch, bright metallic green pest bores into the tree’s bark and feeds on the vascular system immediately below. This destroys the tree’s ability to receive and distribute water, nutrients and vital energy. Eventually, the tree dies.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of more than 3,700 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT) and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST). The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org to learn more.

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