Emerald Ash Borer Fact and Fiction

BY SCOTT VREELAND, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner District # 3

I am concerned about the spreading of some misinformation about Emerald Ash Borer. I see the results of that misinformation in a recent post from the Powderhorn Issues list:

“Every ash tree in Powderhorn Park is scheduled to be cut down as a “preventative” measure, 15 percent per year, whether they are sick or not. Why not improve the health of the soil around the ash trees, making them more resilient in fending off the ash borers? You could do that for a lot less money then hiring cruise to cut the trees down! Is it too late to influence these decisions??”

The idea that there is some- healthy soil- “miracle cure” for EAB using compost tea or extract is a false and misleading claim that is a great example of bad science. Unfortunately there has been an infusion of bad science in some recent tree discussions. Bad science is an attempt to apply a  conclusion, that has no verified basis in fact, as truth.

A few words about Emerald Ash Borer and how it is different from other  trees diseases and infestations… Agrilus planipennis, is an exotic beetle  that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of  2002.… Read the rest “Emerald Ash Borer Fact and Fiction”