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The Emerald Ash Borer has been killing all the Ash Trees in its wake since arriving in this country through the Great Lakes shipping area. It has now been confirmed in Clay County. The city of Terre Haute has just over 1000 Ash Trees along the streets. The ISU campus has just over 400. There are many more on private property. Ash trees are some of the first to turn yellow in the fall if that helps you think of places where Ash tree loss will be keenly noticed.
The Emerald Ash Borer kills the Ash Trees in one to three years from its arrival in the area. There are some treatment options available, especially for younger to mid size trees.
Steph Krull
Landscape and Grounds Manager
Terre Haute city engineer reports the city is prioritizing trees to receive pesticide treatment for preservation. It has been recommended to begin the treqatment plan one year after the insect is found in Vigo County. Treatments last about three years. Terre Haute will be treating about 50% of city owned trees.
The infestation has economic, environmental, public safety, and political impacts. Loss of trees affects property values and water retention in communities. Dead ash start to shed limbs and bark within one yar.
What are those big, fat bugs that leave empty skins on the trees?
Those are cicadas. They do not bite or sting. They are clumsy, slow flyers. They can be very noisy, especially in groups. The most famous species is the 17-year cicada, which lives underground for 17 years and then they all come out at once to breed and die. Their offspring then live in the ground for another 17 years.
There are apps that can be used to report where cicadas are seen. Reporting by members of the public is known as "citizen science." Public citizens can do much more work than the scientists can do alone. And the scientists use these reports to track the cicadas for further analysis.
