This morning in Clinton, Illinois' champion Ash tree will receive protective injections of TREE-dge. to help prevent it from being infected by the deadly Emerald Ash Borer.

The tree, owned by Kelly and Debby Howry in Clinton has been considered the biggest of its kind in the state since 1988. At nearly 100 feet and a mammoth girth that nearly equals its age in inches, local arborist will donate their services to keep this prize example healthy.

The treatment lasts for two years or more and is known to be effective and is in use throughout the midwest protecting Ash trees and saving communities money from in comparison to the cost of cutting themdown and replanting saplings.

The ash borer is native to Asia and wasn't found in North America until 2002. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the ash borer's larvae kill trees by feeding on the inner bark.

Ash borers have so far been found in much of Illinois, mainly in northern and central Illinois.