Reported by: Tom McKee
Photographed by: 9News
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
There's a new chemical available in the Tri-state that is designed to protect ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer.
"This chemical is the answer," said Tim Back, of Back Tree Service. "It's a silver bullet."
It's called "Tree-Age," which has just been approved by use to protect ash trees from the insect that has killed tens of thousands of trees in Michigan and other states.
"Tree-Age" ingredients include emamectin benzoate which is injected at high pressure just behind the bark of a tree.
"We're not only killing the adult. We're killing the larvae," said Back. "They have a near 100% larvae mortality rate.
A Back Tree Service crew worked Monday to service an ash tree on Squirrelsnest Lane in Colerain Township.
Workers drilled small holes in the bar and 5/8-inch into the tree itself.
Then, they inserted a small nozzle attached to a pump.
Built-up pressure forced "Tree-Age" though the hose and into the nozzle.
Back says treatments include two treatments in a four year period.
Crews will be back in Colerain Township in 2010 to give the tree a second dose.
After that, Back says he's standing behind the product.
"This tree is covered until the year 2012," Back said. "I guarantee it or your money back."
The Back guarantee only covers money paid for the treatment, not if it doesn't work, or the tree dies and has to be replaced.
"I guarantee that your tree will not die from the Emerald Ash Borer," Back added.
The cost depends upon the size of the tree's diameter.
Back says the average diameter of an ash tree is usually about 15-inches.
Using a guideline of $12.00 per inch of diameter, Back guesses many trees could be treated for $180.
He said some might be more and some might be less.
It all depends upon the diameter.
