WWYD- city injecting insecticides into trees

Read2Me

We have an ash tree on our property and just received a letter that the city will be injecting TREE-age into the tree to protect it from emerald ash borers.  I know that this is a major issue with ash trees and they have been being killed off by the thousands by the little buggers but at the same time, I don't want a highly toxic chemical injected into something on my property.  The insecticide goes straight into the tree's vascular system which means it could flow out of the roots and into the soil.  Plus it kills bees if they come into contact with it and bees have enough trouble staying alive these days.  WWYD?  Have the city do it or ask them to skip our tree and let nature take it's course?

foundmylazybum

If you live in a neighborhood, and they are skipping on tree--and doing all the surrounding trees around you--this makes very little sense.

Your property is not immune to the surrounding area. 

jennyk213

I'm against using toxic products but there's a time and place for everything.  Emerald Ash borer spreads fast and if you leave one tree standing for nature to take its course, it puts all the other trees at risk.  It's hitting our area hard and from what I understand, the cities that are hardest hit are either treating trees or cutting them down.  There are entire blocks where almost every single tree is being cut down because it's so bad.  I'd be okay with treating trees if it meant saving most/all of them.

CDMay2006

I am nervous about pesticide use.  However, given what happened with chestnuts in the early 1900s, and what is happening with mtn. pine beetles now, i am more nervous about not taking action against such threats.  You could help compensate by planting bee-friendly plants, choosing more organic food/clothing/household products and possibly leading an effort to get more bee-friendly plants into your city.

And as i understand it (though i could be mistaken), the bees would have to come into contact with the actual pesticide, which is unlikely since it is in the tree's vascular system.  Only boring insects would come into contact with it (and, then, birds that eat these bugs).

WGaches

lurker coming out (doctoral student in plant sciences) - It's biologically impossible for pesiticides flow 'out of the roots and into the soil'. This is why injections are used in the first place. The plant's metabolism takes care of the chemicals. And if you ask the city to skip your tree, you're asking for EAB, assuming the city would even honor your request....