Doug, we've been cutting dead ash for over 10 years now and have not yet noticed a problem with branches being that brittle. Actually very few branches break and we've had only a very few trees fall over even though they are very dead indeed. But it is getting to the point where we are getting a bit nervous cutting some. This is why we started cutting the biggest ones first and now except for only a very few, all we have left are trees perhaps up to 12" diameter. Those are no problem for sure.
The logic behind that is to get the people that did transport wood to burn it and any nasties that it might harbor before they get a chance to spread.
Breaking news: an adult EAB found in Iowa City. They haven't pinpointed the infested tree or trees yet.
You can bet your booties that no matter how many they find that are infested, there will be plenty more. When the outbreak came into our area, they tried to pinpoint and did a lot of cutting and destroying the ash that had the borers. It did nothing towards stopping the infestation. They are there and will stay until they run out of food.
Monday I am finally splitting the ash that I cut in the next town over with my brother and Singetreau. The large amount of dying trees out there has me keeping a close eye for any borers.
Another month, another newly infected county. An infestation was found in Mount Pleasant in Henry county on Thursday. That make 10 out of 99 Iowa counties infested.
Really sad to see all these trees going by the wayside. I do hope they make a comeback for future generations.
Yes I am from the Iowa area. Dallas county Des Moines area. Nothing dying yet but won't be long. I have seen the larva and the flying bug. I wonder about the treatment. I heard it is hard on the Bees. Don't like bees but they play their part.
I'd like to inform you that my Iowa State Cyclones football is undefeated against OSU! We also have never played OSU, but I consider that a minor detail.
