The Critical Spring Window: Safeguarding Your Property Against the Emerald Ash Borer
As the Denver Metro area transitions into spring, the health of our local urban forest becomes a top priority for homeowners. Among the various threats to our landscape, the emerald ash borer (EAB) remains the most significant risk to the region’s Ash tree population. Because this invasive pest is now well-established across the Front Range, a proactive strategy is the only way to ensure the long-term survival of your trees.
At Arbor Doctor Tree Services, we utilize science-based plant healthcare (PHC) to defend your landscape. Here is why the spring season is the most vital window for effective EAB management.
1. Optimizing the Tree’s Vascular System
The most reliable method for controlling the emerald ash borer is through systemic trunk injections. This technique delivers protective treatments directly into the tree’s “veins.”
For these treatments to be successful, the tree must be in a state of active transpiration—the process of moving water from the roots to the emerging foliage. Spring is the optimal time for this; as the tree wakes up from dormancy, its internal transport system is at peak efficiency, ensuring the treatment is evenly distributed throughout the entire canopy before the beetles begin their flight season.
2. Preventative Defense vs. Reactive Removal
In the world of arboriculture, prevention is always more cost-effective than removal. Once an Ash tree shows significant signs of EAB infestation—such as canopy dieback or epicormic sprouting (suckers at the base)—the internal structural damage is often irreversible.
By treating your trees this spring, you are creating a chemical barrier. When adult beetles emerge to feed on the leaves or larvae attempt to bore into the wood, the treatment neutralizes the threat immediately. Waiting until summer often means the tree’s vascular tissue has already been compromised, making it much harder to save.
3. Mitigating Safety Hazards and Brittle Wood
Ash wood is uniquely affected by EAB; it loses its moisture content and becomes incredibly brittle shortly after infestation. This makes infested trees a major liability during Denver’s notorious spring windstorms.
Professional spring treatments through Arbor Doctor Tree Services not only preserve the life of the tree but also protect your home, vehicles, and family from the danger of falling limbs. A healthy, treated tree maintains its structural integrity, whereas a neglected Ash tree quickly becomes an expensive emergency removal project.
4. Expert Diagnosis and Specialized Application
Effective EAB control requires more than just over-the-counter products. It requires a professional diagnosis to determine the tree’s current health and the appropriate dosage of high-grade systemic insecticide. Our team brings veteran-owned discipline and 13+ years of Denver-specific expertise to ensure your treatments are applied safely, accurately, and at the perfect time.
Secure Your Canopy This Season
The emerald ash borer is a relentless threat, but it is one that can be managed with professional intervention. Don’t wait for the heat of summer to address the health of your Ash trees.
Contact Arbor Doctor Tree Services today at (720) 298-7279 or use our FREE ESTIMATE form. Let us provide the professional spring assessment and treatment plan necessary to keep your landscape thriving for years to come!
