“Be a Smart Ash”: The Emerald Ash Borer in Denver

In Denver, about one in every six trees is an ash tree. That is approximately 330,000 trees in Denver, and about 1.4 million trees in the greater Denver metropolitan area. 

A healthy tree canopy is essential to Denver residents because it cools neighborhoods, produces oxygen and reduces smog and increases property values. Trees simply make life better, so when a large population of trees is threatened, we need to take action. 

In 2013, the Emerald Ash Borer was found in ash trees in Boulder. It is very likely that the way it traveled there is firewood. Forestry professionals think it is only a matter of time before it arrives in Denver, and if we don’t take action now it could be devastating to our city canopy. The Emerald Ash Borer could possibly be here now because usually it takes 2-4 years to detect infestation. 

To detect the EAB in your ash tree, look for wavy trail lines, D-shaped exit holes, falling bark and the attraction of a woodpecker known as the Northern Flicker. 

In order to “Be A Smart Ash” there are three simple steps: 

  1. Identify and watch any ash trees on your property and tell your neighbors to do the same.
  2. Develop a plan for treatment or replacement with a licensed tree professional. The city forester has a list of licensed pros and is offering free tree replacement on right-of-way trees. Applications for free trees can be found at www.BeASmartAsh.org.
  3. Know what to look for and contact the City Forester if you see any ash tree with the above mentioned signs of the Emerald Ash Borer. The City Forester can be reached at 720-913-0651 or forestry@denver.org.

“Without treatment Denver’s ash trees will be open to EAB infestation and will die.
However, EAB treatments, when properly administered by a licensed professional, 
Are 90% effective.”
    -Rob Davis, Denver City Forester 

Thank you for spreading the word and for more information visit: BeASmartAsh.org