Rot on base of young ash

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Robb

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
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Location
Chicago suburbs
Hi, I went out to treat my ash with Imidacloprid (Bonide Tree and Shrub Insect Control) after finding a group of 4 or 5 ash down the block from me infected with Emerald Ash Borer, and saw this area of rot at the bottom of the trunk. I dug some of the rotted wood out and saw it had the tiny white worm shown in the 2nd pic and the tiny white crawling insect in the 3rd pic. I'm in the Chicago suburbs and it's been very wet here this spring. This ash was planted 8 years ago as a 2 or 3 inch tree and it's now 8 inches in diameter. Does anyone know what this is and how to treat it?

View attachment 298309View attachment 298310View attachment 298311
Thanks,


Robb
 
Thats the ash borer larvae im sure theres more
I wish I'd put something in the picture for a size reference... that white worm is really tiny... maybe an eighth of an inch long and a little thicker than heavy duty thread. I thought EAB larva were much bigger than that.

Now what to do? After I treated the tree a few days ago it rained really hard about 4 or 5 hours later. I'm wondering if I should treat it again.
 
Well, I treated it for EAB anyway, and cleaned out the rot. I'll be keeping an eye on it.


If it is EAB their is no use treating it. Its costly and not 100% effective, my advice is to consult a qualified arborist first then remove and replant if it is actually EAB. With you being from the chicago area the odds are not very good.
 
Thats the ash borer larvae im sure theres more

Not EAB. Even when small you should be able to see the series of 'nested bell' segments toward the back end of the larvae. This thing looks round - perhaps it's the ash cambium miner. Also suspect that carpenter ants may be involved or moving in soon.

If you're serious about saving this tree and EAB is really that close, that homeowner product is not gonna cut. You need better insecticides that are only available to certified pesticide applicators. However, the damage to that particular tree may not make it a good candidate for treatments. Best option is to consult with an arborist for recommendations.
 
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