The Emerald Ash Borer Crisis: Treat or Remove?

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has changed the landscape of Minnesota forever. From the parks in Chaska to the backyards of Watertown, millions of Ash trees are under attack. If you have an Ash tree on your property, you are likely facing a difficult decision: Do I treat it, or do I remove it?

As your local tree care partners, True 'n' Fair Tree Care believes in giving you the honest facts so you can make the right financial and aesthetic choice for your home.

Understanding the Threat

The EAB is a small, metallic-green beetle. Its larvae bore under the bark of Ash trees, eating the layer that transports nutrients. This damage is often invisible until it’s too late. By the time you see the canopy dying back, the tree may already be structurally compromised.

The Case for Treatment

Contrary to popular belief, EAB is not a death sentence—if you catch it early.

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Removing a large, mature tree can cost thousands of dollars. Treating that same tree might cost a fraction of that every two years.

• Preserving Value: A mature Ash tree provides shade that lowers your cooling bills and boosts your property value. Replacing that 50-year-old tree with a sapling will take decades to replicate the benefits.

• How It Works: We use a trunk-injection system that delivers insecticide directly into the tree's vascular system. It is safe for you, your pets, and the surrounding environment, as it is contained entirely inside the tree.

When Removal is Necessary

Sometimes, saving the tree isn't possible. If your Ash tree has lost more than 30% of its canopy, the vascular damage is likely too severe for the tree to recover. In these cases, removal is the safest option to prevent the brittle wood from snapping during a storm.

Serving Waconia, Victoria, and Beyond We have successfully treated hundreds of trees across Carver and Hennepin counties. If you aren't sure if you have an Ash tree, or if you want a health assessment, contact us today. We’ll give you a "True 'n' Fair" assessment—no scare tactics, just science.