Included are links to two articles regarding the emerald ash borer that arborists, tree workers and tree wardens should find useful.
The first article is entitled The Economics of Dying Ash Trees in Connecticut and was put together by Dr. Rich Cowles of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. This informal discussion piece reviews various strategies that municipalities might consider in the face of EAB. Essentially, the article suggests that the use of insecticides may be much more affordable for EAB control than people give them credit for, including in the municipal setting.. The article is intended to introduce the topic and not be a full exploration. It can be very helpful reading for anyone considering how to manage public ash trees within the State of Connecticut.
Dr. Cowles will be speaking at the CTPA Summer Meeting on Thursday, July 21. During this talk, he will reference ideas brought forward in this short article.
The second article, called Dead Ash Tree Removal? Think Twice!, is reprinted from the Summer 2016 edition of the CTPA newsletter and is written by Emmett Shutts of Shutts Tree Service. In this article, Emmett explores some of the safety concerns relating to ash trees that have been heavily infested or killed by the EAB. Research alongside of experience finds that these trees pose an increased and often unanticipated safety risk, especially to tree care workers charged with their removal. It is reprinted here in order to allow this article to be easily forwarded to others who might be interested.