Managing Emeral Ash Borer In Colorado
Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management
COMPARING EMERALD ASH BORER TREATMENTS POINTER (IMIDACLOPRID) VS. TREE-AGE
Some of our clients have asked about an alternate EAB treatment method called Tree-Age, which
has been getting press lately. The company that manufactures Tree-Age, their suppliers who sell it,
and the companies who offer it claim that Tree-Age is a superior product. It’s definitely not in our
opinion!
Pointer is much safer. It is NOT a restricted use product. Actually, the active ingredient Imidacloprid
is the same product used in common flea and tick medications that are applied directly to our
dogs’ and cats’ skin! Does a more toxic product mean it will do a better job? Absolutely not! We
consider it “over-kill.” Homeowners should always insist on getting the job done with the safest and
most environmentally-conscious products available. Imidacloprid suits that purpose!
AGENDA TITLE: Emerald Ash Borer 2014 Workplan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY‘
In September 2013 City of Boulder_ Parks and Recreation Forestry staff discovered an
emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation within the city. This is the first known occurrence of EAB in Colorado and is the westem-most occurrence of this invasive pest in North America. Eradication and containment efforts across the country have been unsuccessful resulting in the loss of over 50 million ash trees.
EAB management, including tree removal tree replacement, wood disposal and pesticide treatments, will have an enormous di rect budgetary impact to the City of Boulder and private residents over the next 15 years. The loss of tree canopy will have significant economic social and environmental impacts for decades.
The Environmental Advisory Board is joining the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for a presentation and discussion on the pest and the 2014 EAB Workplan
Coordinate with Rella Abernathy, City IPM Coordinator on addition of Tree-Age to Approved Pesticide List
Continue to research pesticide options moving forward
Trap trees per SLAM (SLow Ash Mortality) protocols: [Purposely Kill] girdle 3 public ash trees per known infested grids; treat adjacent public ash trees with Tree-age. Goal is to reduce beetle populations and slow the spread.
Treat approximately 175 public ash trees within infested grids only: will use only Tree- age and TreeAzin in 2014
Evaluate public ash trees in adjacent grids for possible treatments to commence in 2015 Negotiate with tree care companies about potential to extend city pricing for private property owners
