There was a time when many property owners would forego Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment and simply remove the affected tree instead. Luckily, over time, the cost of Emerald Ash Borer treatment has gone down, while its effectiveness has increased, so these days, it makes more financial sense to treat the infestation. Still, you may wonder how much Emerald Ash Borer treatment costs and whether it’s worth it in your particular circumstances. Here’s what you need to know.
The Cost of Emerald Ash Borer Treatment in Pennsylvania
Emerald Ash Borers are an invasive beetle native to East Asia that feed on the vascular tissue inside trees. Over time, this damage will kill an infested tree. At Rick’s Certified Arborists, we use trunk injections to treat affected Ash trees, however, treatment is best done as a preventative measure. The pesticide is injected directly into the vascular tissue; while it doesn’t harm the tree, it does kill the Emerald Ash Borers inside. For maximum protection, this must be repeated every two years.
The cost of EAB treatment depends on the size of the tree. As an example, if your tree is 14 inches in diameter, the cost of trunk injections can be between $150-$175. In contrast, it can cost up to $2,000 to remove an Ash tree, so treatment is a worthwhile investment.
If you have a smaller Ash tree that won’t cost as much to remove, you might do the math and figure that treating the tree with trunk injections every other year will cost you more than simply removing the tree. Financially, this may be true, but Ash trees have value beyond a simple dollar amount. They shade your home and yard, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, make your property more attractive, and slow runoff from rainstorms.
When to Cut Down an Ash Tree
That said, there are some circumstances in which you may be better off removing your Ash tree rather than treating it with trunk injections.
Ash trees can be quite dangerous when they die, as they become brittle. This means branches and limbs may snap off unexpectedly. If your Emerald Ash Borer infestation was not caught early enough, a trained arborist can examine the tree for damage and determine if it’s best to remove the tree before it becomes a hazard, rather than attempting treatment on a tree that is already badly compromised.
Other reasons to consider removing an Ash tree include:
- The tree was already in poor health before the Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
- The tree is very young.
- The tree is in a bad location (too close to your home or the road, etc.).
- More than 30% of the tree canopy is compromised.
As arborists, we always like to save trees whenever possible, but if you’re torn between the decision to remove an infected Ash tree or treat it, we can help you do a cost-benefit analysis of both options to help you determine the best course of action.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Certified Arborist
Contact Rick’s Certified Arborists today to schedule a consultation for our Emerald Ash Borer treatment services.
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