Preparing for months to come we know you’ve heard us talk about the Emerald Ash Borer for the past few years now. There is obvious evidence around our area of the decline of ash trees, especially those not treated. In areas where the EAB has not yet caused obvious damage, there is still time to protect your Ash! We highly recommend having your ash trees evaluated and monitored by a certified arborist. 

If you have ash trees untreated in your yard we also highly recommend for you to prepare for their decline in health. For the safety of our own staff working in the field each day and to protect your homes as well, we will have specific standards and protocols for removing dead ash trees that have declined from EAB damage. Ash trees that are clearly past their point of saving are not safe to climb. Their trunk and limbs become too brittle to climb up high enough and rig (lower large limbs and trunk pieces with an intricate roping system) down safely. 

 

This information is to inform you on what to prepare for if your Ash tree’s health declines from the EAB and needs to be removed.The removal process of an EAB infested tree is significantly more dangerous therefore making it more time consuming and possibly causing more damage. We will adjust the time and cost of the job accordingly to ensure as safe and efficient a workspace environment as possible. We hope this information allows you to act proactively.

 

Keep an eye out for a new pest – The Spotted Lanternfly

The Spotted Lanternfly is a unique plant hopping invasive pest that first made its journey to the US Eastern Coast (Pennsylvania) in 2014. As of January 2020, the pest has been intercepted in CT, DE, MD, MA, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA, and WV.  This bug has decimated trees, crops, and plants at an alarming rate as it spreads up and down the coast. Favorite feasting can occur in over 70 species of plants and trees, in our area including grapes, stone fruits, apples, maples, oaks, willows (Salix sp.), and the tree of heaven. It HAS been spotted in Buncombe county in Asheville. The numbers aren’t at the point of alarming infestation but we want to make sure you are given the knowledge before it is a huge concern. 

So what can we do to eliminate Spotted Lanternfly?  Identify and Report!

 

Stay tuned to Heartwood Tree as we continue to monitor this invasive bug.  We will bring our community more information on identification, treatment of infestation and assistance with reporting new cases. 

If you aren’t sure if what you’re looking at is spotted lanternfly you can submit a photograph of any life stage to badbug@ncagr.gov with the subject “Suspected Spotted Lanternfly”.