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2016

Title 35 Article 10 Pesticide Applicators' Act

Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Pesticide Applicators' Act

2014

Emerald Ash Borer: What Colorado Communities Need to Know
April 21, 2014

With the highly destructive emerald ash borer (EAB) now confirmed in Colorado, many homeowners have questions about their ash trees and the risks presented by the invasive tree insect.

Late last year EAB was detected in the City of Boulder.

The insect is already responsible for the death or decline of tens of millions of ash trees in more than 20 states. It poses a serious threat to many of Colorado’s urban forests, where ash species comprise an estimated 15-20 percent of all trees.

To help homeowners and communities make decisions about dealing with the pest, the Colorado State Forest Service recently released a new Quick Guide about EAB in Colorado.

Current Recommendations for Colorado:

Determine now if you have any ash trees. The first step to dealing with EAB is identifying susceptible host trees on the landscape, which include virtually any species and varieties of ash (genus Fraxinus). Ash trees have diamond-shaped bark ridges, compound leaves with 5 to 11 leaflets, and their leaflets, buds and branches grow directly opposite from one another.
Recognize signs of EAB infestation. Homeowners with ash trees should be on the lookout for signs of EAB infestation, which include: thinning of upper branches and twigs, loss of leaves, D-shaped 1/8-inch holes on the bark, vertical bark splitting or increased woodpecker activity. Any suspect trees should be reported to the Colorado Department of Agriculture at (888) 248-5535 or email [email protected].
Be aware of EAB imposters. Other insects like lilac/ash borer, ash bark beetle and flat-headed appletree borer may look like EAB or cause similar tree symptoms. For more information, see the new EAB Quick Guide on the CSFS website.
Know when treatments are (and aren’t) a good option. Homeowners have the option to apply chemical treatments this spring to help protect high-value trees, but treatments are not recommended more than 5 miles from a positive detection. Currently, the only confirmed in-state detection has been in the City of Boulder.
Realize that treatments are necessary to save impacted trees. All ash trees, regardless of species, size or age, can be infested by EAB. Infested trees will not survive without treatments, but treatments can be effective even in infested trees, if infestation is detected early enough.
Avoid planting ash trees in Colorado. Ash trees have been widely planted here, but due to the risk of EAB, future plantings are not recommended. However, this spring is a good time to consider planting diverse tree species where ash trees growing now may be lost in the future.
Prevent further spread of EAB. Don’t ever transport ash firewood, or any other untreated ash wood products, to other locations. Boulder County and small adjacent areas are now under a federal EAB quarantine, allowing for stiff fines for those who move untreated wood from the area.

For more information about EAB infestation, treatment options and ash tree identification, view the EAB Quick Guide online or pick up a free copy at the nearest CSFS district or field office.

For current information about EAB in Colorado, including the current quarantine, go to www.eabcolorado.com.

2013

Emerald Ash Borer Control Options

Can I Save My Ash Tree? Should I?, David Merriman

Destructive Tree Pest Detected in Colorado, Colorado Department of Agriculture, September 27, 2013

LAKEWOOD, Colo. –An invasive insect responsible for the death or decline of tens of millions of ash trees in 21 states has been detected in Colorado for the first time.

A suspect tree was spotted in Boulder County on September 23rd by City of Boulder Forestry staff. Insect specimens from the ash tree were collected and sent to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Systematic Entomology Laboratory where the identity of the insects was confirmed.

“The confirmation of these specimens as emerald ash borer (EAB) marks the western-most occurrence of this invasive pest in North America,” said Patrick McPherren, USDA State Plant Health Director in Colorado. “To date Colorado is the fourth State to detect EAB in 2013.” Read More>>

Emerald Ash Borer Update, GreenCO

Mulch For Your Trees, John Wesolowski, May 2013

2012

Mechanisms of plant survival and mortality during drought (featured in the Fall 2012 Rocky Mountain Arborist issue)

Upfront: As diesel prices continue to rise, a groundswell of interest in natural gas vehicles emerges (featured in the Fall 2012 Rocky Mountain Arborist issue)

Deep-planting techniques to establish riparian vegetation in arid and semiarid regions (featured in the Fall 2012 Rocky Mountain Arborist issue)

Winter Watering for Drought Stressed Trees, David Merriman, September 2012

GreenCO Tree Planting Recommendations June 2012

Exploiting Allee effects for managing biological invasions Patrick C. Tobin
As featured in the ISA-RMC Rocky Mountain Arborist Summer 2012 Newsletter

Wildfires Can Happen Anywhere
Tree & Landscaping Precautions For Reducing Wildfire Dangers
Keith Worley, June 2012

Mountain Pine Beetle – Urban Consideration Joe Cordova, May 2012

2011