Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a ruthless killer of ash trees, one of the most popular urban trees in North America, is making its way across Indiana. To help reduce its impact, your local chapter of Purdue’s Master Gardener Volunteers is joining forces with the City of Valparaiso, and Valparaiso City Parks to spread the word. The NABB Program helps neighborhoods learn what to do before this devastating pest arrives, reducing property values and tree cover and leaving behind potentially hazardous dead trees.
In Indiana communities such as Fort Wayne, Huntington, and Indianapolis, ash trees are dying at an alarming rate. Many homeowners only find out about the magnitude of the EAB problem AFTER their trees have started to die. By then, most ash trees cannot be saved with pesticides and must be removed before they fall down and harm people and property.
The NABB Program joins local Neighborhood Associations with Purdue Master Gardeners to increase local awareness of the EAB problem by:
- Conducting local EAB/Ash Awareness Events with tree tagging.
- Directing residents to research-based information that helps them manage their ash trees.
- Helping homeowners determine which ash trees to protect or remove and replace.
A tagging event will take place on Monday, March 12th, beginning at 8:30 am. The volunteers will meet for a tutorial at the Valparaiso City Parks Office, 3210 Campbell St., Valparaiso. Groups will then be sent out to tag all of the ash trees on city property. These are the trees located between the curb and the sidewalk. The city of Valparaiso has at least 600 ash trees. If you see green postcards attached to trees with purple tape, feel free to read the information and visit the website to find out what you can do to help.
If you have questions regarding an ash tree on your property, please contact your local Purdue Extension Service at 219-465-3555. Lyndsay Ploehn, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator or a trained Master Gardener will be happy to assist you.