Experts warn of Insect's devastation

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - An insect that has the potential to wipe out an entire tree population is making its way into the Wabash Valley.  For several years now tree experts have warned about the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer and the problems left behind. But, beyond aesthetics, the population of Ash trees falling off could cost the area millions.

All over the city of Terre Haute and out in the county the landscape is marked by ash trees. Some could be in your yard or even out in front of your house. 

The ash borer is something that you would normally noticed, unless  that has been killing them across the state.

"(The) Emerald Ash Borer is an insect that feeds on the tissue that a tree needs to get water and nutrients. So basically it cuts off its water and nutrient supply and it dries out and dies,” Purdue University’s Cliff Sadof said Monday.

It's that very bug that brought Cliff Sadof to Vigo County Monday to reduce the level of devastation that it leaves behind in our area.

"(It’s) going to come through here like a wave, like a tidal wave and it takes about 6 to 8 years for that whole process to go through,” Sadof explained at the meeting.

Well how does this affect you?

Aside from the scenery you may enjoy disappearing, it's actually expensive to remove the dead trees. Last year Fort Wayne, Indiana spent $1.1 million to remove the dead trees.

So how can you tell if your tree has been infected by the emerald ash borer? 

If your tree has thinning leaves at the top or if you see increased activity by woodpeckers along the bark of your tree, you could have an infestation.

At the meeting Sadof explained how to save your tree from sure death.

"There are some products available for the homeowner that you can buy at the hardware store or nursery that you can apply in the springtime that work quite well.”

It’s a smaller cost in your wallet, to fight a larger cost down the road.