Maintaining Tree Health
Solomon, J.D.; Leininger, T.D.; Wilson, A.D.; Anderson, R.L.; Thompson, L.C.; McCracken, F.I. 1993. Ash pests: A guide to major insects, diseases, air pollution injury and chemical injury. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-96. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 45 p.
Trees should be managed to optimize vigor because healthy trees are less susceptible to attack and injury by insects and diseases. The following cultural practices, singly or in combination, can be used to promote and maintain good tree health in forest stands, plantations, nurseries, shelterbeds, and ornamental plantings:
- Match ash species and seed source with their adapted sites.
- Use vigorous planting stock, and select pest-resistant cultivars when available.
- Ensure that trees receive sufficient water, nutrients, and sunlight through irrigation, fertilization, and proper spacing.
- Maintain proper stocking in forest stands.
- Use sanitation practices such as pruning out and removing dead and symptomatic limbs and branches, and raking and removing insect-infested and diseased leaves; this reduces levels of hibernating insects and overwintering inoculum reservoirs that initiate new infestations the following year.
- Prevent or minimize injuries and wounding from harvesting, fire, or other sources that can create easy entry points for ash pests.
- Utilize cultural practices that favor natural controls such as birds and other predators, parasites, and insect pathogens.
- Exercise caution in the use of broadleaf herbicides on lawns around ornamentals and shade trees because these herbicides have the potential to damage ash trees.
- Be aware of early insect feeding or disease symptoms; this will allow for the greatest number of options in managing a pest problem.
- Use pesticides only when and where they are absolutely needed and avoid using more than the recommended rates to prevent development of pest resistance.
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