Wisconsin Ag Connection - Group to Help Communities Identify Ash Trees

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Group to Help Communities Identify Ash Trees
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/01/2014

Southwest Badger is offering its help to communities that want to take a proactive approach against the invasion of emerald ash borer. Thanks to a grant from DNR, Southwest Badger staff are available to inventory community ash trees.

"Municipalities have limited staff and funding to address the danger of the emerald ash borer invasion," said Southwest Badger Forester Patrick Dayton. "They're aware of the threat of emerald ash borer, but do not have the time or expertise to identify all the ash trees or develop a plan of action to deal with the trees."

Dayton will be working with communities to locate and rate community-owned ash trees in parks and right-of-ways to produce a practical plan of work. The ranking will help determine which trees should be removed first and which ones should be removed last or possibly treated with an insecticide to protect them. The inventory will not include privately owned trees.

"When emerald ash borers kills a tree, the tree becomes very brittle and a dangerous safety hazard. Because it can cost 40 percent more money to remove a dead tree, it is important for communities to prioritize which trees need to be removed immediately before they deteriorate too much."

The group received a grant to provide a tree risk survey of ash trees in a limited number of communities in southwest Wisconsin. Interested communities should contact Southwest Badger to apply. Communities will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, until funding is gone.

Southwest Badger is a community development organization serving Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, La Crosse, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk and Vernon counties. For more information or to sign-up for the program, call 608-637-5479.

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