The growing knowledge base of arboriculture: New breakthroughs and better understanding of current practices come from a strong foundation in research

摘要

In 2007, at the onset of emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in the Greater Chicago Metropolitan area,The Morton Arboretum, The Village of Hazel Crest, USDA APHIS/Forest Service, Davey Tree Expert Company, and Rainbow Treecare Scientific collaboratedto implement an emerald ash borer research trial that would take place over several years in the Village of Hazel Crest.This study involves hundreds of ash trees and two different neighborhoods. It is looking at 11 different treatment protocols, representing three different active ingredients, applied in three different ways, and at different times of the year. The treatments, including untreated trees for comparison, were randomly assigned to each tree. The ash trees are city-owned, boulevard trees ofa similar size class growing in similar soil conditions. As emerald ash borer populations are relatively high in these neighborhoods, no additional insects were needed to get pressure on the trees. This trial was slated to continue until all the untreated trees in the trial have died.