Ash borer infestation found in eastern Aurora

Aurora aldermen say they are usually more than happy to welcome new residents. But late last week, they discovered one they won't be rolling out the red carpet for.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed Tuesday the city has found its first case of emerald ash borer infestation in the city.

"We definitely are not too happy with these new residents, and we wish they hadn't chosen to come here," said Alderman-at-Large Bob O'Connor.

Bill Pauley, Aurora's certified arborist and streets department supervisor, said larvae were discovered this fall in ash trees located on the city right-of-way on Liberty Street just west of Route 59. The traps were set last year when Pauley became suspicious the tree may have been infested.

The larvae were then sent for testing to confirm they were the emerald ash borer and not the lily borer that has also made home in some Aurora trees.

"The bad news is that we found one (infestation)," Pauley said Tuesday night. "But the good news is that we only found one, and it's not the end of the world."

City staff have been setting traps and watching for the emerald ash borer for about two years with guidance from both the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Morton Arboretum. Aldermen also have banned the planting of any new ash trees.

"It wasn't a matter of if we would get them, it really was only a matter of when," Pauley said. "Approximately 20 percent (more than 20,000) of parkway trees in the city are ash.

"They are popular, easy to grow and easy to transplant, and that's why developers used them in abundance."

Only ash trees showing signs of infestation will be removed and disposed of in accordance with Department of Agriculture protocol.

"City crews will begin removal of trees showing signs of decline this spring," Pauley said, noting some may be in a worse state of decline and may be removed sooner.

Residents who are concerned about infestation should watch for signs of decline in ash trees on their property in the spring, including sprouts at the base of the tree and the failure of the top of the tree to blossom.

The adult emerald ash borer is a half-inch long metallic green beetle that is native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to eventually die.

Pauley said adults are present during the "flying season" from mid-May through late July.

The ash borer was discovered in July 2002 in southeastern Michigan and is believed to have arrived in solid wood packing materials off-loaded from cargo ships. Adults leave a D-shaped exit hole in the tree two or three years after initial infestation.

Last summer, the emerald ash borer was found in Glendale Heights, about a mile from Glen Ellyn. The beetles also have been found in Batavia and unincorporated Kane County, Geneva and Carol Stream.

The borer's larvae feast on the trunks of ash trees, cutting off their ability to transport nutrients and causing the trees to die. So far, the borer is blamed for the loss of about 25 million ash trees in North America.

Aurora residents may call (630) 264-INFO (4636) to report the location of an ash tree they suspect may be infested.