ASH TREE IN YOUR YARD?

Small, single and healthy ash trees may be treated economically and successfully with retail insecticides to prevent destruction by the emerald ash borer. But trees greater than 15 inches in diameter will require more expensive professional treatment annually, said Shawn Bernick, director of research and technical support for Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements, a research arm of the tree care company. No research has been done on trees larger than 25 inches in diameter, Bernick said. Healthy trees within 10 or 15 miles of a quarantine area are candidates for treatment. Bernick said private tree owners should weigh three things in deciding whether to treat or cut down an ash: how much they value the tree, the risk of infestation and how much a lifelong treatment regime will cost.

• www.emeraldashborer.info/homeownerinfo.cfm

• www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eabhomeowners.htm