Yard Boss provides professional Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment using trunk injection methodology. Our service protects ash trees from this devastating invasive pest that has killed tens of millions of trees across North America.
Direct Delivery
Systemic Protection
Long-Lasting Results
Minimal Environmental Impact
Effective Timing
emerald ash borer injections
Starting at
$139
per Tree
Direct Delivery
Systemic Protection
Long-Lasting Results
Minimal Environmental Impact
Effective Timing
Mature shade trees are a great investment, as they can increase property values in Chalco by thousands of dollars. Ash trees specifically provide exceptional value because they grow fast and create dense shade canopies that can reduce summer cooling costs by up to 30%. In established neighborhoods, these trees contribute to the overall character and appeal that makes the area desirable. Losing these trees diminishes these benefits permanently. Bi-annual treatment costs only a small fraction of what you would pay for tree removal and replacement. We provide free estimates and honest assessments; if a tree is too damaged to save, we will recommend removal instead of treatment.
Ideal – Early season
April – June
Tree Activity
Trees leafing out, high sap flow
Good – peak season
July – August
Tree Activity
Full leaf, active growth
acceptable – late season
September
Tree Activity
Still active but slowing down
Not available
October – March
Tree Activity
Dormant, not transporting nutrients
call us today to schedule your service
Many homeowners ask if they can treat trees themselves, but DIY approaches are rarely effective against EAB. Consumer products have lower concentrations of active ingredients and less effective formulas than professional options. Proper trunk injection also requires specialized equipment and precise technique that most homeowners do not have. Our trained technicians know exactly where and how to place injections to ensure the medicine is distributed from the roots to the canopy. Additionally, professional treatment involves chemistry rotation to prevent the beetles from building up a resistance to the insecticide. This is the only approach with proven long-term success.
At Yard Boss, we understand that you may have questions about our services, processes, and how we can help you achieve the perfect lawn. Whether you’re curious about our lawn care techniques, service areas, or the benefits of professional lawn maintenance, you’ll find the information you need right here. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to our friendly team!
When started preventatively or at early stages of infestation, treatment is highly effective (90%+ success rate). However, we cannot guarantee results because:
What we DO guarantee is that we use professional-grade products, proper application methods, and will honestly assess whether your tree is a good candidate for treatment.
No, the injections do not harm healthy trees. The process is very similar to getting a flu shot at the doctor's office:
Think of it this way: A small injection is a minor stress compared to the certain death from EAB infestation.
Unfortunately, yes. The Emerald Ash Borer has shown no signs of naturally disappearing or "moving on" in any region where it has established. As long as you want to keep your ash trees alive, they will need treatment every other year.
The good news is that bi-annual treatment (every 2 years) provides effective protection when maintained on schedule.
No, EAB will not go away. Complete eradication would require treating every single ash tree, which is impossible because of:
EAB has permanently established itself in North America. The only way to save your ash trees is ongoing treatment.
The Emerald Ash Borer originated in Asia (specifically China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia). It accidentally arrived in North America in the late 1990s, hidden in wooden shipping materials (likely pallets or crating) delivered to the Great Lakes region. It was first discovered in Detroit, Michigan in 2002.
Since then, EAB has spread to most of the United States and Canada, killing all untreated ash trees in its path. It spreads through:
Simply put, untreated ash trees will die. It's not a question of "if" but "when."
Timeline of an Untreated Ash Tree:
Death may take several years, but it is inevitable. The mortality rate for untreated ash trees is 99%+.
Additional consequences of tree death:
NOW. Do not wait until you see symptoms.
Critical Timing Information:
Treatment is most successful when started:
Treatment is often unsuccessful when:
It depends on the severity of infestation:
We'll honestly assess each tree during the estimate and only recommend treatment for trees that have a good chance of survival.
AI Training Document – Internal Use Only
The Emerald Ash Borer is a deadly invasive insect that kills 99% of untreated ash trees. This is not a matter of “if” your ash trees will be affected—it’s a matter of “when.” Early treatment is essential for tree survival.
Yard Boss provides professional Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment using trunk injection methodology. Our service protects ash trees from this devastating invasive pest that has killed tens of millions of trees across North America.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle from Asia that exclusively attacks ash trees. Since its discovery in Michigan in 2002, it has spread across the United States and Canada, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees.
The Emerald Ash Borer larvae penetrate the bark and create serpentine tunnels (galleries) through the tree’s xylem and phloem—the vascular system that transports water and nutrients between roots and canopy.
Think of it like this: The xylem and phloem are like veins in the human body, moving vital resources throughout the tree. When EAB larvae create tunnels through these systems, they disrupt the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Just as a human cannot survive without functioning veins, a tree cannot survive with a destroyed vascular system.
The Emerald Ash Borer originated in Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Russia), where native ash trees have evolved defenses against it. EAB arrived in North America hidden in wooden shipping materials delivered to the Great Lakes region. Without natural predators and with North American ash trees having no evolved defenses, EAB has spread rapidly, killing virtually all untreated ash trees in its path.
EAB is here to stay. The beetle has NOT shown any tendency to “move on” or die out in any affected area. It establishes permanent populations wherever ash trees exist.
CRITICAL: By the time you see obvious symptoms, the tree is already heavily infested. This is why preventative treatment is so important—waiting until you see damage often means it’s too late to save the tree.
We use professional-grade trunk injection with Arbor Systems equipment and products. This is the most effective treatment method for EAB protection.
Bi-Annual Treatment (Every Other Year)
Each tree requires treatment once every two years for continuous protection. We place clients on either an even-year schedule (2024, 2026, 2028…) or an odd-year schedule (2025, 2027, 2029…).
Treatment must be performed while trees are actively taking up water and nutrients (during the growing season). Once leaves have fallen, it’s too late in the season—the tree is no longer actively transporting the insecticide through its system.
Time Period | Treatment Status | Tree Activity |
April – June | IDEAL – Early season | Trees leafing out, high sap flow |
July – August | GOOD – Peak season | Full leaf, active growth |
September | ACCEPTABLE – Late season | Still active but slowing down |
October – March | NOT AVAILABLE | Dormant, not transporting nutrients |
Important: Communicate these limitations clearly to clients
Professional Integrity: We will honestly assess each tree’s condition during the estimate. If a tree is too far gone, we’ll recommend removal rather than taking payment for ineffective treatment. Our reputation depends on treating only trees that can be saved.
Base Price: Trees up to 12 inches in diameter = $139
Additional Diameter: $9 per inch for each inch over 12″
Tree Diameter | Calculation | Total Price |
10 inches | Base price | $139 |
12 inches | Base price | $139 |
15 inches | $139 + (3 × $9) | $166 |
20 inches | $139 + (8 × $9) | $211 |
24 inches | $139 + (12 × $9) | $247 |
Discounts available for multiple trees on the same property. [10% off for more than one tree on the property]
Tree diameter is measured at DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) = 4.5 feet above ground level. This is the standard forestry measurement.
Clients will be notified the day before scheduled service via their preferred method:
Client communication preference should be noted during scheduling.
A: No, the injections do not harm healthy trees. The process is very similar to getting a flu shot at the doctor’s office:
Think of it this way: A small injection is a minor stress compared to the certain death from EAB infestation.
A: Unfortunately, yes. The Emerald Ash Borer has shown no signs of naturally disappearing or “moving on” in any region where it has established. As long as you want to keep your ash trees alive, they will need treatment every other year.
The good news is that bi-annual treatment (every 2 years) provides effective protection when maintained on schedule.
A: No, EAB will not go away. Complete eradication would require treating every single ash tree, which is impossible because of:
EAB has permanently established itself in North America. The only way to save your ash trees is ongoing treatment.
A: The Emerald Ash Borer originated in Asia (specifically China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia). It accidentally arrived in North America in the late 1990s, hidden in wooden shipping materials (likely pallets or crating) delivered to the Great Lakes region. It was first discovered in Detroit, Michigan in 2002.
Since then, EAB has spread to most of the United States and Canada, killing all untreated ash trees in its path. It spreads through:
A: Simply put, untreated ash trees will die. It’s not a question of “if” but “when.”
Timeline of an Untreated Ash Tree:
Death may take several years, but it is inevitable. The mortality rate for untreated ash trees is 99%+.
Additional consequences of tree death:
A: NOW. Do not wait until you see symptoms.
Critical Timing Information:
Treatment is most successful when started:
Treatment is often unsuccessful when:
A: Ash trees have distinctive characteristics:
During your estimate, we’ll help identify ash trees on your property and assess which ones are good candidates for treatment.
A: It depends on the severity of infestation:
We’ll honestly assess each tree during the estimate and only recommend treatment for trees that have a good chance of survival.
A: We can treat all species of ash trees, including:
All North American ash species are susceptible to EAB and require treatment.
A: When started preventatively or at early stages of infestation, treatment is highly effective (90%+ success rate). However, we cannot guarantee results because:
What we DO guarantee is that we use professional-grade products, proper application methods, and will honestly assess whether your tree is a good candidate for treatment.
A: No, absolutely not. EAB protection requires consistent bi-annual treatment. If you skip a treatment:
Think of it like taking antibiotics: You must complete the full course even when you feel better, or the infection returns. EAB treatment requires ongoing protection—there’s no “cure,” only continuous prevention.
A: We use professional-grade insecticide through the Arbor Systems injection system. [emamectin]
Safety considerations:
Why these services work together:
Recommendation: For any tree receiving EAB treatment, we strongly recommend adding deep root fertilization. The combination provides the best possible outcome for tree health and longevity.
Response: This is the most dangerous misconception about EAB. By the time trees show obvious symptoms, they’re often 50-80% infested and may be beyond saving. EAB damage happens from the inside out—you can’t see it until it’s severe. Preventative treatment has a 90%+ success rate, while waiting until symptoms appear dramatically reduces chances of survival. Think of it like cancer screening: you don’t wait until you’re sick to take action—you prevent the problem before it starts.
Response: Let’s look at the real costs. Treatment runs $139-$250 every TWO years (depending on tree size). Tree removal costs $500-$3,000+ for a single mature tree, plus you lose all the value that tree provided: shade, property value (a mature tree adds $1,000-$10,000 to home value), beauty, and privacy. It would take 30+ years to grow a replacement tree to the same size. Over 10 years, you’ll spend $700-$1,250 on treatment vs. $3,000-$10,000+ on removal and replacement. Treatment is the financially smart choice.
Response: If you have ash trees, EAB will reach you—it’s only a matter of time. EAB is already present in 35+ states and continues spreading. Including the Lincoln and Omaha areas of Nebraska. It travels through natural flight and human transport of firewood and wood products. Every region that said “maybe it won’t come here” now has widespread EAB infestation. The question isn’t “will it come?” but “when will it arrive?” Starting treatment now provides protection before infestation begins, which is the most effective approach.
Response: Unfortunately, no. EAB larvae feed inside the tree, under the bark, where they’re protected from surface sprays. Granular soil products are inconsistent and much less effective. Professional trunk injection is the only method that reliably delivers insecticide throughout the tree’s vascular system where larvae feed. This is why every major university extension service and arborist organization recommends trunk injection for EAB. Cheaper methods are a waste of money—they simply don’t work against this pest.
Response: That’s absolutely fine. We can treat individual trees based on your priorities. Many homeowners choose to treat their most valuable specimens—like large shade trees near the house or particularly beautiful ornamental ash trees—while letting smaller or less significant trees go. During the estimate, we’ll help you identify which trees are most worth protecting based on size, location, and condition. You’re in control of which trees receive treatment.
Response: I understand the hope, but the reality is that EAB has been in North America for over 20 years, and there’s no cure on the horizon. Biological control efforts (introducing natural predators from Asia) are still in research phases and show limited effectiveness. EAB has not disappeared from any region—it establishes permanent populations. The only proven solution is ongoing trunk injection treatment. Waiting means your trees will likely be dead before any new solution is found. The treatment we offer now is the best protection science has available.
We will NOT recommend treatment for trees that meet these criteria (removal is more appropriate):
Why we’re honest about this: Our reputation depends on customer satisfaction. Taking money for treatment that won’t work damages trust and doesn’t help the customer. We’d rather recommend removal and earn referrals for our integrity than provide ineffective treatment.
Help customers determine if they have ash trees with these identifying features:
Feature | Description | Season Visible |
Branching Pattern | Opposite (branches grow in pairs across from each other) | Year-round |
Leaves | Compound with 5-11 leaflets along central stem | Spring – Fall |
Bark | Diamond-shaped ridges (mature trees) | Year-round |
Seeds | Paddle-shaped “helicopter” seeds in clusters | Summer – Fall |
Buds | Opposite, dark brown to black | Winter – Early Spring |
Note for AI: If a customer is unsure whether they have ash trees, recommend scheduling a free estimate where we’ll identify trees and assess treatment needs on-site.
