Program to Explain Emerald Borer Treatment

"Save Your Ash Trees, Protect Your Assets," a program sponsored by the village of Shorewood to educate area residents on preventing emerald ash borer infestations, is being held at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The free program is open to Plainfield, Shorewood and Joliet residents. It's being held at the Shorewood Village Community Room, 1 Town Center Blvd.

The program is being presented by Roger Barrowman, Shorewood's public works director, and Rob Gorden from Arborjet.

Although an infestation of emerald ash borers is typically discovered before it's too late to save the tree, Shorewood is attempting to treat trees before they are attacked.

The adult beetle usually migrates in August, and can fly as far as three miles, experts say. It's the beetle larvae that feed on an ash tree's interior wood and ultimately kill the tree, leaving small D-shaped holes when they exit.

Beetle infestations have been found in some parts of Plainfield, and village has removed several trees in an attempt to reduce the beetle's spread.

The treatment program is described as affordable and effective, according to an independent five-university study, Arborjet information says. A treatment can protect trees for two years.

For more information, go to www.arborjet.com/shorewoodjoliet or call 781-935-9070.