Plant Health Care
Kit Wagner is CETC's Qualified Supervisor through the Colorado Department of Agriculture and has cared for Plant Health Care needs for more than 15 years.
Integrated Pest Management can include fertilization, irrigation and winter watering guidance, proper pruning, targeted chemical controls, and planting suitable species in suitable locations. CETC begins with cultural and non-chemical care when appropriate, then recommends targeted treatment when the tree and pest conditions warrant it.
On-site PHC consultation fee: $150.
Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer larvae tunnel beneath the bark and interrupt the movement of water and nutrients through an ash tree. Because early damage can be difficult to see, treatment decisions should account for the tree's species, condition, canopy decline, location, and long-term value.
Not every declining ash has Emerald Ash Borer, and not every ash is a good treatment candidate. CETC begins by confirming the tree and evaluating overall health, visible decline, site conditions, and whether preservation is practical.
CETC offers ArborMectin, an emamectin benzoate treatment, and Tree-AZIN, an azadirachtin bio-insecticide. Both are professionally applied trunk injections; the right option depends on the individual tree and current product guidance.
Treatments are generally timed after leaves emerge in spring and while the tree can move the product through its canopy. Follow-up intervals vary by product, pest pressure, tree health, and label requirements.
Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle whose larvae feed beneath the bark of true ash trees. Possible signs include thinning or dead branches near the top of the canopy, D-shaped exit holes, vertical bark splits, shoots growing from the trunk, S-shaped galleries beneath loose bark, and increased woodpecker activity. Other problems can cause similar symptoms, so identification matters.
No. Treatment is a long-term commitment and should be based on the tree's species, health, size, structural condition, location, value, and level of decline. Some healthy, valuable ash trees are good preservation candidates; trees with advanced decline, poor structure, or limited site value may be better candidates for removal and replacement.
CETC offers professionally applied trunk injections using ArborMectin, an emamectin benzoate product, and Tree-AZIN, an azadirachtin product derived from neem seed. Both are systemic treatments. We recommend an option only after considering tree condition, current pest pressure, treatment goals, product labeling, and the surrounding site.
The normal treatment window begins after leaves emerge in spring and continues into early summer, when a healthy tree is actively moving water through its canopy. Exact timing depends on the product, weather, tree condition, and current label. You can schedule an assessment before the application window so there is time to plan appropriately.
Intervals are not identical for every product or situation. Current CSU guidance describes emamectin benzoate as providing at least two years of control. Azadirachtin commonly provides about two years during earlier stages of an EAB invasion, while annual application may be recommended when local pest pressure is at its peak. CETC follows the current label and sets the follow-up plan for the individual tree.
Pollinator protection is part of CETC's Integrated Pest Management approach. We consider whether treatment is necessary, select the product and application method for the site, time work appropriately, and follow current label requirements. No insecticide should be described as having zero environmental impact, so our goal is a targeted treatment plan with a clear reason for use.
Some trees with limited EAB injury can recover under an effective treatment program, but advanced canopy loss and extensive vascular damage can make recovery unlikely. An onsite assessment helps compare ongoing treatment with removal, replacement, safety, and the value the mature tree provides to the property.
Independent resources: CSU Extension treatment guidance and USDA identification guidance.