How to Get Rid of Emerald Ash Borer – Tree Removal
If you’re reading this, you may be concerned or wondering “how to get rid of Emerald Ash Borer in your yard”? Maybe you think your ash tree might not be looking very healthy in your yard. We understand why you may be concerned. Who doesn’t love the look of a healthy ash tree in the yard? Ash trees are widely sought after for the shade they provide and their great fall colors. We’ve got some tips to help you as you decide how to best handle your ash tree and how to cut down a dead ash tree safely.
Evaluate Ash Tree Location
If it’s possible that your tree may be on someone else’s property, it’s worth checking. We say this because you generally aren’t allowed to cut down trees on property belonging to the city or your neighbor. Yes, even if you don’t like your neighbour…or the city. The point is that the city will service dead ash trees on their property at no charge to you, which is great for everyone involved.
Confirm Tree Species
So your tree is on your property, it’s now officially your problem. At this point, we need to ask: Are you sure that your ash is an ash? If yes, please move onto the next tip. If no, then you can check for diamond-patterned bark on mature trees and small symmetrical leaves in groups of 5-11. You might also find it useful to consult a common tree identification guide or a local arborist.
Identify the Problem
There’s a good reason that we stressed knowing that your ash isn’t an elm. It’s because most premature ash deaths in Southwestern Ontario are from the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer is an invasive species native to parts of Asia, estimated to have been introduced to North America around 1990. Today the emerald ash borer is present in 35 states in the USA and nearly every province in Canada. An emerald ash borer infestation will eventually kill any ash tree. This is why it is good to learn how to cut down a dead ash tree before it spreads.
Preserve, Save, or Remove the Ash Tree
If you catch the emerald ash borer early enough, the insecticide can be injected every couple of years to combat an emerald ash borer infestation. This action can save or significantly prolong the life of your ash tree. A local arborist inspection should let you know if it makes sense to try and save your tree or not. If you’ve already decided that you don’t want to save the tree, then you’re left with a few options:
- Leave it and hope the by-law officers don’t notice (not suggested).
- Try and cut it down yourself.
- Hire a professional to remove your tree.
If you chose option (a), we wish you the best of luck. If not, then we should go over some common things to consider when planning an ash tree removal.
Analyze Surroundings
Ash tree height, circumference, and location are 3 important factors when it comes to planning a removal. The taller, wider, and closer to buildings a tree is, the more difficult a safe removal becomes.
Dead ash trees become weakened soon after being infected with the emerald ash borer, making climbing and clipping them unwise.
The 2 main methods for dead ash tree removal that we’re left with are:
- All at once: Knock the entire tree over.
- Top-down by section: Use a lift to trim sections from the top down.
As a result, the structures on residential properties rule out option (a) for most customers. There’s too much risk of your structure falling on something important nearby. Option (b) is the only safe option for many removals. However, even with a lift your branches still need to be clipped in a way that doesn’t destabilize the weakened tree.
Relocate Wood
You might be thinking “how to get rid of emerald ash borer wood once the tree has been cut”? Ashwood should not be transported far from the property that it’s cut down on. If emerald ash borers were present before the tree was cut down, then they’re probably still there afterward. Movement of infested wood lets them spread faster than the 10km per year that they can typically travel.
We won’t even try to cover all the creative places that people put their wood. It depends on what you want to use it for and what storage options you have. Most people living in a residential area would find it easiest to have the wood removed by professionals that can properly transport it.
Be Safe, Be Smart.
Now that you are a little more informed on how to cut down a dead ash tree, the last thing we want to see is somebody get hurt or damage personal property. That’s why for most cases where there’s a dead or dying ash tree involved, we recommend getting professional help. In contrast, a professional can do the job safely while saving you time and stress.
Final Thoughts on How to Get Rid of Emerald Ash Borer
When you see that your ash tree has been infested don’t look the other way. Take time to analyze the situation and figure out the best approach. Every situation is different and if your tree can be preserved then you should do that. If your ash tree has been compromised then call a local arborist today to remove your tree.
