Emerald Ash Borer is attacking ash trees across the eastern U.S. and the Midwest. Since being introduced to Minnesota in 2009, EAB has killed millions of trees. But, ash trees can be saved with early detection. How much does Emerald Ash Borer treatment cost?
Let’s dig into the numbers.
Let’s work with an average-sized ash tree, which will be about 50-feet tall with a 14-inch diameter (40-inch circumference) at chest height, located 20-39 feet from a nearby building.
For our purposes, we also need to assume the ash tree has lost only 25% or less of its canopy and is not dealing with other health issues, or that the ash tree is unknown to be infected, but is within 15 miles or so of a known EAB infestation.
Value Of An Ash Tree
Ash trees provide many benefits which are hard to quantify:
- Shade homes and yards, conserving energy
- Provide habitat to wildlife
- Cool streets and cities
- Reduce stress levels
- Protect air, filter water, and slow runoff
- Make communities healthier
Using an online tree calculator and the 14-inch diameter (40-inch circumference) ash tree we described above, we can nearly quantify the annual benefits of an ash tree.
- Carbon Dioxide Sequestered ($0.33)
- Annual CO2 Equivalent Of Carbon: 14.06 lbs.
- Storm Water ($1.65)
- Runoff Avoided: 184.87 gallons
- Rainfall Intercepted: 829.80 gallons
- Air Pollution Removed ($0.10)
- Carbon Monoxide: 0.1 oz.
- Ozone: 6.66 oz.
- Nitrogen Dioxide: 0.7 oz.
- Sulfur Dioxide: 0.1 oz.
- Particulate Matter <2.5 microns: 0.28 oz.
- Energy Usage Each Year ($17.50)
- Electricity Savings (A/C): 123.26 kWh
- Fuel Savings (Natural Gas/Oil): .26 MMBtu
- Avoided Energy Emissions ($5.67)
- Carbon Dioxide: 236.82 lbs.
- Carbon Monoxide: 1.59 oz.
- Nitrogen Dioxide: 0.91 oz.
- Sulfur Dioxide: 5.74 oz.
- Particulate Matter <2.5 microns: 0.44 oz.
- Carbon Dioxide Stored To Date ($42.93)
- Lifetime CO2 Equivalent Of Carbon: 1,846.10 lbs.
That works out to a total physical value of $68.18 per year for this particular tree. With an average life expectancy of 75 years, the lifetime value of this ash tree would sit at $5,113.50.
It’s also important to consider the emotional attachment you may have to a particular ash tree. Is it used for climbing or a swing? Does it provide shade to a patio or heavily used are of your lawn?
Removal Cost
The removal cost of any ash tree is going to vary depending on its size, what kind of shape it’s in, and its proximity to buildings or roads. Generally speaking, you’ll find quotes from tree removal companies come in between $200-2,000 for the removal of a single tree.
Based on the 14-inch diameter (40-inch circumference) ash tree we described above, you can narrow down the costs to somewhere between $300-1,000 for ash tree removal.
Stump grinding is usually charged at an extra rate of $200-300 per stump.
EAB Treatment Cost
At Valley Green Companies, we consider the micro-infusion method of injecting insecticide the best Emerald Ash Borer management option for our clients in Central Minnesota, so it is the only option we offer.
Micro-infusion involves lightly drilling a tee needle about one-inch inside the tree and infusing the chemical directly under the bark. This allows the tree to naturally pull the insecticide upward from the base of the trunk into the branches and leaves, spreading it quickly and evenly.
The micro-infusion method of Emerald Ash Borer treatment must be applied every other year at a cost of about $220 for the 14-inch diameter (40-inch circumference) ash tree we described above. Prices will always vary depending on the size of the tree.
