Emerald Ash Borer - Value/Cost
Many North Dakota communities’ urban forests are comprised of more than 50% ash trees. In one study of four North Dakota small towns, the cost of removal-and-replacement was estimated from $22,000 to more than $163,000; that study was completed 5 years ago and costs increase every year. Insecticide injections provide an alternative to removals-and-replacements, and may be a cost-effective option for managing the urban forest. The EAB Cost Calculator from Purdue University allows users to compare the costs of different management alternatives: http://int.entm.purdue.edu/ext/treecomputer/.
Technical and financial assistance for developing community-level management plans is available from the ND Forest Service. Contact Gerri Makay at 701-652-2951 or gerri.makay@ndsu.edu for more information.
Additional information about EAB is available from the ND Department of Agriculture at: https://www.nd.gov/ndda/plant-industries/pest-survey-and-outreach/emerald-ash-borer-eab. For more information about tree pests such as Dutch elm disease, gypsy moth, and others, please visit the ND Invasives website at: http://www.ndinvasives.org/.