Emerald Ash Borer is becoming increasingly problematic throughout the US. As adults, the iridescent green beetles eat leaves, but as larvae they burrow through the trunk of an ash tree, cutting off the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and effectively killing the tree.
John Bell, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library in Fremont, OH, noticed the infestation in his trees a year or two before Jason Fausey approached him. Bell had previously been told that there was nothing he could do, as the treatment was too expensive. Fausey, Director of Technical Services for Nufarm Americas, approached Bell in 2009 to discuss treating the trees on a volunteer basis.
“He showed up one day and said, ‘Here’s what my company does and here’s what I want to do,’” said Bell.
Fausey’s first treatment applied a soil drench of Nufarm’s Safari Insecticide to eight trees on the property. With the exception of two or three 150-year-old trees that were too far gone to save, the rest are now back to full health. Fausey has continued to treat the trees annually since 2009.
“The treatment’s been tremendous,” said Bell.
“We haven’t lost a single tree after the first year.”
“Jason is a really nice guy,” Bell said. “One year I had some medical problems and wasn’t around and Jason came by and did the work on his own. He knows what he’s doing and he knows his business.”
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library was the first presidential library in the nation. Established in 1916 by President Hayes’ son, the library holds the president’s extensive personal library as well as additional books reflecting his favorite interests, including genealogy and groundskeeping.
