Emerald Ash Borer Update
Date: 01/14/2008
Number of Views: 1704
For Immediate Release
January 14, 2008
Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an introduced beetle that is killing ash trees in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, and Ontario. Since its discovery in Detroit, Michigan in 2002, the borer has spread, killing virtually all ash trees in its path. In Michigan EAB has killed more than 15,000,000 ash trees and in Ohio the count is 280,000 ash trees. EAB has been confirmed in Westerville city limits.
The City of Westerville is implementing City Council’s approved management plan to mitigate the economic impact caused by the pending infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. Our goal is to proactively remove and replace street tree ash in Westerville improving the diversity and overall health of our urban forest canopy while improving safety and decreasing liability. Taking a proactive approach will distribute the costs associated with certain tree death over a calculated time period, as well as, lessen the social impact that such an extensive loss will have on the quality of life in our community.
The plan will first remove trees labeled as hazardous or highly susceptible. Next, streets with a high concentration of large ash will be targeted. Addresses on these streets will be chosen in a spaced out fashion. All ash, over 10” in diameter, within the city right-of-way at chosen properties will be removed at the same time. This will allow for proper spacing of replacement trees. In most cases trees at neighboring addresses will be removed at a later date.
There are ash trees in the city right-of-way in most neighborhoods throughout Westerville that have been marked for removal. The Urban Forestry Division would like to let you know that the trees are scheduled to be removed early in 2008. The trees will also be replaced in the near future as conditions allow using the Shade Tree Commission approved Street Tree Master List. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Parks Maintenance Department, Urban Forestry Division at 901-6591.