As new foliage matures on ash trees, the extent of Emerald Ash Borer infestation and increase in areal coverage is becoming obvious.
Recent travels have shown widespread and rapid decline and death of ash in Hamilton County from Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout east through Eastgate and northeast into the Milford area. Large tracts of dead trees stand in Anderson Township along and near Clough Pike. Many other trees are not far behind.
Large tracts of dead and dying ash also extend across the north from Tri-County, Union Center, and West Chester north through Springboro and west to at least Bypass 4. In some areas whole tracts of land are dead with trees appearing as they would in winter. However, these trees are dead, not dormant.
Infested ash and thinning canopies have been observed in other areas as well. Thinning canopies, not all of which are definitely caused by Emerald Ash Borer, have been seen across the area, including northern Kentucky.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that Emerald Ash Borer is exploding across the area. Studies have shown exponential growth of infestations as more trees are infested and smaller infestations merge together.
While infested trees can be rescued with treatments, many trees in the areas mentioned above have already died or are infested beyond treatment thresholds. It is imperative that treatment of valued ash trees be initiated now. Any delay at this point lessens the chance that the tree will survive.
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