University works to protect ash trees

Though Indiana State University's athletic teams may be the Sycamores, the university's grounds maintenance staff is focusing this spring on the 400 or so ash trees that make up a large part of the campus tree canopy.

In conjunction with this week's observance of Earth Day, workers have placed green cards on all of the trees with information about the emerald ash borer, an insect that has been decimating ash trees in the Great Lakes region for nearly a decade. The cards have pull-off tags with information about web sites the public can use to help protect their own trees.

"This insect is moving in a wave across the Midwest, and is due to arrive here in Vigo county very shortly, or may already be here. Surrounding counties have already confirmed its presence," said Stephanie Krull, ISU's landscape and grounds manager. "Larger ash trees can become dangerous within one to two years after infestation, so some type of response will be mandatory."

Krull said an injection treatment option has proven more than 90 percent successful at saving ash trees and the university will be using a combined approach, removing some trees and treating others.

Marking the trees on campus will help faculty, staff, students and the general public learn what ash trees look like and determine if they have any at their homes or other properties and the tear-off cards have information from Purdue University's Extension Service that provide resources about addressing emerald ash borer infestations.

The information is available at www.eabindiana.info or by writing to Purdue Entomology EAB Program, 123 Smith Hall, 901 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Ash-Tree-signs/i-Kz6Qb6p/0/L/041012ashtreesign-6440-L.jpg - Indiana State University grounds maintenance staff have placed signs on ash trees throughout campus offering sources of information about emerald ash borers. (ISU/Tony Campbell)

Contact: Stephanie Krull, landscape and grounds manager, Indiana State University, 812-237-8160 or steph.krull@indstate.edu

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu