Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
Emerald Ash Borer Management Options vs. the Ash Mortality Curve
Summary
Since its identification in 2002, the emerald ash borer has already killed enough trees to make it a problem of historical significance like Dutch elm disease. Ash trees, like elms, were planted extensively in North America for a variety of reasons including their ability to withstand difficult growing conditions commonly found in urban areas. EAB is particularly devastating because its population develops in a predictable pattern that includes an exponential phase associated with significant ash mortality in a short window of time. The implications of this will be discussed and interpreted, with a key component being that management options for EAB are inversely correlated with the ash mortality pattern. By identifying where one’s community lies on the spectrum of the ash mortality curve, arborists and urban foresters can operate with appropriate urgency and determine which management options remain viable. To close the program, the comparison of EAB to Dutch elm disease will be further explored. As ash replacement becomes more prevalent, forward looking strategies that include other “partners” like the nursery industry and landscape architects must be developed.
Conference Proceedings Documents
Presenters
Jim Zwack has a B.S. in Urban
Forestry and an M.S. in Tree Physiology.
He is the Director of Technical Services at the Davey Institute, which
is the research and development division of the Davey Tree Expert Company. He has played a key role in the development
of Davey’s EAB management strategy, and has made dozens of presentations on
this topic and others in the industry.
Jim has previously chaired the Education Committee of the Minnesota
Society of Arboriculture, served on the Board of Directors of the Society of
Commercial Arboriculture, and is currently the Chairman of the Board for the
TREE Fund.
Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday