Innovative Tree Treatments Save the U.S. Economy Over $252 Million, and Hundreds of Thousands of Trees, in 2011

WOBURN, Mass., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Timber Investors are Hurting"; "Energy Costs are Rising"; "Neighborhoods Stand Stripped of Trees". These headlines may sound like the effects of a poor economy, but all are occurring in no small part because destructive pests like the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) are wreaking havoc on trees across the country. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120222/NE57783) 

The damage these invasive insects cause is extensive. Since its arrival from Asia in 2002, EAB has destroyed over 30 million ash trees in the United States. ALB has caused tens of thousands of hardwood trees to be destroyed in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, and was recently found in Ohio as well. In a single year alone, the Southern Pine Beetle, a bark beetle smaller than a grain of rice, killed 14,000 acres of pines in New Jersey. Spiraling Whitefly is causing visible damage to trees and property throughout Southern Florida due to the sticky honeydew it produces, which grows unsightly black sooty mold. Lastly, damage from fungal diseases like Oak Wilt and malnutrition also weaken trees, reducing their chances of survival even further.

Despite all this, there are ways to effectively prevent the destruction of America's valuable trees. In the last year alone, 350,000 trees were protected against insect attacks in over 65 cities and towns. These trees were protected via quick acting, long lasting trunk injection treatments from Arborjet, which develops remedies for some of the world's most destructive tree insects and diseases. The rescue of these trees has made a significant economic impact, saving the United States an estimated $252 million in tree removal and replacement costs. Professionally applied tree trunk injection treatments cost a fraction of what tree removal and replacement does, averaging less than the cost of a month of cable television service. Compare this to the cost for the removal and replacement of a single tree, which can run well over $800.

With Arborjet, the appropriate formulation dose is injected directly into a tree's vascular system and typically is effective within a few days or weeks. Unlike other treatment methods such as spraying and soil drenching, tree trunk injections are sealed in the tree, limiting any environmental impact.  Nothing is placed into the air or soil at the time of injection. The active ingredient keeps working through the tree's vascular system, providing long lasting protection. There is even one injectable treatment available that protects trees against 25 different insect species for up to two years and can stop damage if a tree is currently under attack.

"Forward thinking municipalities and certified arborists are using tree trunk injections to ensure the country's neighborhoods remain beautiful now and in the future," said Russ Davis, President and COO of Arborjet. "As an environmentally responsible treatment, trunk injections cost significantly less than removing and replacing mature trees and help preserve the environmental, economic and esthetic benefits trees bring to us all."

WHY TREES ARE WORTH SAVING: ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

• Trees help cities meet EPA air quality goals. A 30-inch-diameter tree removes 70 times more pollution per year than a 3-inch tree does.
• Research shows a $3.67 return on every dollar spent to preserve the urban forest.(1)
• One shade tree can save a homeowner $80 or more per year in energy costs.
• Property values are 6 to 15 percent higher for houses surrounded by trees.(2)
• Consumers spend up to 12 percent more at shops near green landscapes.(3)
• Trees reduce the burden on wastewater treatment facilities.
• Storm-water retention costs are greatly reduced when trees are present.(4)

About Arborjet
Founded in 1999, Arborjet's mission is to provide the most effective and environmentally responsible formulations and equipment to promote overall plant health care and to preserve our natural and urban forests. The company is committed to researching and developing remedies for the world's most invasive pest insects and diseases to support arborists and enable them to safely treat near waterways and highly populated areas. Arborjet's products are for both residential and commercial application and are distributed throughout the United States. Arborjet is headquartered in Woburn, MA. To learn more about tree health products provided by Arborjet visit www.arborjet.com.

(1) Municipal Tree Resource Analysis , Boulder, CO
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3365&Itemid=900

(2) Minnesota Society of Arboriculture

(3) Business District Streetscapes, Trees, and Consumer Response, Kathleen L. Wolf

(4) Municipal Tree Resource Analysis , Boulder, CO
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Parks%20and%20Recreation/Forestry/Municipal_Tree_Resource_Analysis/Boulder_MTRA-Chapter4.pdf

Contact
Erin Vadala, Warner Communications, 978-468-3076, [email protected]

SOURCE Arborjet