Woodpeckers Pointing the Way to the Ash Borer

WOODPECKERS POINTING THE WAY TO ASH BORER

(PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!)

“Now is the perfect time to look for woodpecker damage in Ash trees” according to Mount Prospect Forestry/Grounds Superintendent Sandy Clark. “Woodpecker damage has proven to be very useful in pointing the way to trees infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The damage has become particularly obvious on many area trees in the last few weeks”. Clark says, the woodpeckers are searching for EAB larvae beneath the bark. While searching for the insects, the woodpeckers cause the outer bark to fall off the tree, revealing whitish patches of inner bark.

Village arborists have just completed a windshield survey of all parkway ashes in Mount Prospect, finding 94 trees with woodpecker damage. Now they are in the process of conducting aerial inspections and bark removal on the damaged trees to check whether EAB larvae are present.

The Village is asking property owners to look for woodpecker damage on the house side of parkway trees, and to report any suspicious damage to Public Works at 847-870-5640. Clark also suggested that property owners check their private property ashes for this damage.

Unfortunately, Clark noted that all infested ashes will need to be promptly cut down to help slow the spread of the pest. The Village will remove infested parkway trees at Village expense, but property owners will need to pay for removal of privately owned trees. Clark noted that there are major benefits to removing infested trees now, rather than waiting until later in the year. “First,” she said, “it's possible that tree care firms will charge less now than when they get really busy in spring and summer. Second, prompt removal and destruction of infested ashes before the beetle's flight season begins (usually around May 1) means the insects will be destroyed before they can fly to and infest other trees in the area.”

For further information about EAB, go to www.MountProspect.org.