We know it is coming – Emerald Ash Borer

by Colleen Collier, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

            If you have not heard, as of 2022, an insect called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been detected in 36 states, the District of Columbia and 5 Canadian provinces. EAB was first confirmed in Detroit, MI in 2002 and confirmed in South Dakota in 2018. It was found in Sioux Falls May of 2018, Canton in May 2020, Worthing in July 2020, and most recently, Crooks in May 2022.

UPDATE: On July 20, 2022, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources released information that stated the emerald ash borer had been located in the vicinity of Brandon, SD, only ten miles south of Garretson. Read more here.

            I wrote an article in the May 16, 2019 issue of the Gazette explaining what EAB was, how it killed ash trees, and suggested that anyone having ash tree(s) on their property prepare to have it removed, as it is costly. As an alternative, if the tree is 100% healthy (though I suggest having it inspected by a licensed and insured arborist) and adds value to you and your property, think about having it treated for the rest of the tree's life once EAB is confirmed in Garretson or 15-mile surrounding area.

            Removal, however, puts you ahead of the EAB infestation, costs you less to have the tree removed, and your new replacement tree would be years into establishing a healthy root system and growth.

            EAB has killed hundreds of millions of rural and urban ash trees in North America. Here in Garretson, ash trees were approximately one half of our tree canopy as of the 2020 inventory survey conducted by South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) personnel. At that time, it was estimated that EAB would be discovered in Garretson within the next 1 – 4 yrs.

            In 2022, to the best of my knowledge, EAB has not been discovered nor has it been confirmed in Garretson or the surrounding 15-mile area. Anyone (arborist or public) taking down an ash tree needs to look for potential sightings of EAB and report it for further investigation. EAB sight reporting information can be found at https://emeraldashborerinsouthdakota.sd.gov.

            Garretson’s tree canopy has taken multiple hard hits from harsh ice, snow, straight-line wind, and recently derecho windstorms. As clean-up continues, trees with damage around town on private, public, and park lands are still visible. These trees are now stressed and susceptible to disease and pests that will eventually kill them if not properly trimmed and maintained. Emerald ash borer attacks ash trees that are older, stressed, and damaged.

            Those that have chosen to have their ash tree cut down, fully removed, and stump removed will find out there is a cost involved. So please do the research. Make multiple calls to licensed and insured arborists, visit different internet sites, and read arborist reviews, as there is lots of useful information out there for you the consumer and you will find the right arborist and a plan that will meet your needs.

            Remember to ask lots of questions and make sure that all the work that is to be completed is in the estimate like cutting down, removal (tree & stump), hauling debris away, repairs if mishaps happen, etc.

            I would like to share the information that I obtained researching that could affect the cost of your tree(s) removal. I will also share information that you should know before contacting an arborist as they also ask for information.

            First call: “South Dakota One Call” dial 811 or 1-800-781-7474 or www.sdonecall.com to have underground utility lines located in your tree(s) removal area.

            Second call: your local municipality (better safe than sorry) to have underground utility lines located in your tree(s) removal area that are not located by South Dakota One Call.

            Mountain Ash trees are not true ash trees and do not require removal or treated; in fact, they are part of the rose family.

            To learn more about ash tree ID, EAB, its symptoms, or EAB treatment, I suggest visiting https://emeraldashborerinsouthdakota.sd.gov. This link also has information for rural area windbreaks.

The following will or could affect the cost of your tree(s) removal:

            Size - Look at your tree(s) for removal, if able get a couple of the following measurements. Get the diameter of the trunk at 4.5 feet above the ground. If there are multiple trunks, measure each one. If possible, measure the height of the tree (most in town are over thirty feet tall). The root system could be as deep as three feet and as far away from the trunk as the tree is tall.

            Branches - Count the number of branches extending out from the trunk – a single trunk with smaller branches is easy to work on vs larger branches extending out a long way. Multiple trunks have more branches, which results in cost increases.

            Supply and Demand – if there was a recent storm in the area, tree services may be in high demand and the urgency for removal as an emergency increases costs to double regular removal.

            Time of the year – if it's not an emergency and you can wait until winter, that’s the best time for removal as tree services are low in demand and may decrease the cost.

            Condition of tree – a live and stable tree costs half the price to remove vs a dead unstable tree. Damaged and unstable trees are a hazard and dangerous to work on and will also add to cost increase.

            Location on property – two identical trees, one in the front yard (easy access) one in the back yard (no easy access), will change the cost. The tree in your front yard will be about half of what the tree in your back yard will cost, as more labor is involved in removing tree debris from the back yard.

            Obstacles around the tree – if the tree hangs over your home, you have plants planted around the tree, power line(s) running through the tree canopy, fence(s) surrounding yard with no or little access for equipment, or tree debris, removal and can be noticeably big factors for the tree service to remove the tree.

            Tree removal cost near you – depending on where you live and where the tree service must travel from, the costs are passed on to you.

            If possible, have your tree(s) removed before it becomes hazardous or dead. Remove or relocate as many obstacles as possible, like power lines, phone lines, plants, outdoor furniture, cars, fence, etc.

            Dispose of tree debris yourself – depending on the size and location of your tree(s) this may save you money and decrease the cost.

Getting FREE estimates:

            If it is not an emergency take your time and get three, four, five estimates to find the right plan and price for you.

            Tree service and a professional certified arborist need to be licensed and insured. The cost may be a little more, but no life is worth taking short cuts to removing a tree. Or leaving you with damage to property that was unforeseen, and now requires repairs that you pay for yourself. Hire a company that is estimating cost by the job not by the hour - the cost is higher by the hour.

            Make sure the estimate is detailed in the work being done. Details include, are they climbing the tree, bringing in heavy equipment, crane, yard repair after job is done, cutting the tree down, removing the tree completely, hauling away tree debris, grinding the tree stump and removal (may be an additional cost), removing and replacing obstacles, who is going to make repairs if mishaps happen, etc. If it is not in the estimate, it may be a hidden additional cost to you.

            Payment should be made after the work is completed and you have inspected the finished job and area, and everything stated in the estimate is completed.