Tree Health Implications of Long-term Strategies to Treat Emerald Ash Borer: Long-term Effects on Tree Injections and Tree Tissue
2021, Richard J. Hauer, PhD, University of WI-Stevens Point, Co-PIs Dr. Andrew Koeser, Mr. Randy Krouse, Dr. Jake Miesbauer
This project will determine the long-term effects to trees from repeated trunk injection to prevent emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis) mortality. Does repeated treatment through injection ultimately lead to trees that are unable to effectively take up chemical due to internal damage and/or wounding from repeated treatments? Further, do these treatments lead to enhanced decay in trees, increasing their tree risk for lower stem or root failure? Observations of bark cracking and discoloration around injection sites have been reported, but not quantified in a scientific manner. This is especially true of trees that have been repeatedly treated over long periods of time. Linking these external indicators (e.g., bark splitting, lack of wound closure, weeping wound sites) to internal damage (e.g., cross-sectional and longitudinal tree dissection), will aid urban tree managers in balancing the risk and rewards of long-term EAB management via injection.
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- What is the cumulative effect of tree wounding from tree injection as determined by tissue discoloration? We have completed this step with the proposed 60 ash trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) sampled in summer and fall 2021. Tree dissections and wounding area scanning was completed in summer and fall 2023. We have completed data analysis and developing a draft manuscript to submit fall 2024. We published a popular article on the topic in TCI Magazine: Hauer, R., Miesbauer J., Koeser A., Thilmony B., and Tumino A. 2023. Emerald Ash Borer Two Decades Later. TCIMagazine. November, Volume 34 (11): 44-48
- What percentage of past tree injection wounds have resulted in bark damage (e.g., bark splitting, cambial dieback), assessment of bark splitting, and dieback would occur for all 60 sample trees above. We have completed this question and further have developed a peer-reviewed manuscript that was accepted for publication (Hauer RJ, Ball JJ, North E. Observation of External Wounding on Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) Trees Associated with Tree Injection Systems. Forests. 2022; 13(11):1802. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111802)
- Do external indicators of tree injection wounding correlate with internal tissue discoloration, a linear regression model will be used to predict the area of stem discoloration as a function of tree species, number of treatments, number of wounds, and number of wounds showing bark damage. We have completed this step and have completed the analysis.
We have found evidence of external wounding is associated with internal wood discoloration. We have also found ash compartmentalize well and the wound area is small (< 10% of total wood area near the injection sites). Further, the longitudinal movement of wood discoloration is limited and at 1 meter above the wounding area little wood discoloration from wounding was found.
Year: 2021
Funding Duration: 1 years
Grant Program: Hyland R. Johns Grant
Grant Title: Tree Health Implications of Long-term Strategies to Treat Emerald Ash Borer: Long-term Effects on Tree Injections and Tree Tissue
Researcher: Dr. Richard J. Hauer
Key words:
Peer Reviewed Publications from Grant:
Hauer, R.J., J.J. Ball, and E. North. 2022. Observation of External Wounding on Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) Trees Associated with Tree Injection Systems. Forests 13(11): 1802. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111802
Hauer, R., Miesbauer J., Koeser A., Thilmony B., and Tumino A. 2023. Emerald Ash Borer Two Decades Later. TCIMagazine. November, Volume 34 (11): 44-48
General Audience/Trade Publications:
Professional Presentations:
Hauer, R.J. 2024. Managing Emerald Ash Borer Through a Money & Urban Forestry Context. Oral Presentation. Billings, MT. April 3, 2024
Hauer, R.J. 2024. Managing Emerald Ash Borer Through a Money & Urban Forestry Context. Rainbow Ecoscience. Oral Presentation. Seattle, WA. March 6, 2024
Hauer, R.J. 2024. Advancements in Tree Injection Research and Technology. 2024 iLandscape. Oral Presentation. Schaumburg, IL. January 31, 2024.
Hauer, R.J. 2024. Advancements in Tree Injection Research and Technology. 2024 NAA Great Plains Conference. Nebraska Arborist Association. Oral Presentation. Lincoln, NE. January 16–17, 2024.
Hauer, R.J. 2023. On your Doorstep: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Economics, Planning and Management. Arboricultural Association Conference. Oral Presentation. Warwick 2023. September 8–11
Hauer, R.J. 2023. Herd Immunity: Its use and benefit for maintaining ash in the community forest Emerald Ash Borer. Rainbow Ecoscience. Oral Presentation. Fargo, ND June1, 2023
Hauer, R.J. 2023. Herd Immunity: Its use and benefit for maintaining ash in the community forest Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Oregon. Rainbow Ecoscience. Oral Presentation. Portland OR. February 16, 2023
Hauer, R.J. 2023. Lessons Learnt in North America From Twenty Years Of Responding to Emerald Ash Borer and the Implications of Different Management Desires and Outcomes. North West Tree Health Group Meeting. Oral Presentation. Virtual England. January 26, 2023.
Hauer, R.J. 2022. Managing Emerald Ash Borer Through a Money & Urban Forestry Context. Arbor Chat. Pacific Northwest ISA. Oral Presentation. Virtual Conference. November 8, 2022
Hauer, R.J. 2022. Managing Emerald Ash Borer Through a Money & Urban Forestry Context. Arborpalooza: Exploring the Wide World of Trees!, Pacific Northwest ISA – Annual Training Conference. Oral Presentation. Coeur d’Alene, ID. October 2–4, 2022
Hauer, R.J. 2022. Managing Emerald Ash Borer Through a Money and Municipal Context. Rainbow Ecoscience. Oral Presentation. Saint Louis, MO. July 19, 2022
Hauer, R.J. 2022. Managing Emerald Ash Borer Through a Money and Municipal Context. Rainbow Ecoscience. Oral Presentation. Menomonie, WI, May 19, 2022
Hauer, R.J. 2022. The Ashability of Emerald Ash Borer Management: Using a Sustainability Lens. Oral Presentation. Webinar, May 3, 2022
For more information on this project, contact the researcher via TREE Fund at treefund@treefund.org.