The City of Naperville recently announced that 2013 marks the fourth year of participation in the Legacy Tree Project (LTP), a partnership with Valent Professional Products aimed at building community awareness about options for responding to emerald ash borer (EAB) and motivating residents to take action.
Initiated in 2010 and continuing through 2014, the 12 communities selected across the Midwest for participation in the LTP receive annual treatment with Safari® insecticide for approximately 200 ash trees on public property. The project, including materials and labor, is fully funded by Valent Professional Products. There is no cost to taxpayers.
The City of Naperville continues to implement an aggressive multi-year treatment plan for all healthy ash trees located in the City’s parkways. The involvement of the LTP and the support of the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation have been an important part of the treatment and education program. Naperville’s parkway ash trees enrolled in the Legacy Tree Project will soon receive their fourth annual treatment with the Safari® product.
“The City was very fortunate to be selected as a partner in the LTP,” City Forestry Supervisor Jack Mitz said. “The trees treated as part of this program are doing very well compared to untreated trees in the area on private property. Homeowners with ash trees on their private property that have not received treatment to date are encouraged to consult an arborist of their choosing for an assessment of their tree health.”
Since 2008 when the EAB was first discovered in Naperville, the Department of Public Works has focused on controlling the spread of the EAB through the implementation of a cost-effective strategy that includes treatment, removal of infested trees and a public education program. The City’s Forestry Division has 11 certified arborists that are trained to look for signs of EAB presence. More information about EAB, including symptoms of infestation and treatment options, is available at www.naperville.il.us/eab.aspx.
About the Legacy Tree Project
Safari® is applied by soil injection at the base of each tree. This work will be completed by certified professionals from the Naperville office of The Care of Trees. Safari® is a systemic insecticide taken up by the roots and distributed throughout the tree. Soil injection precludes contact with pets or people. For more information on the Legacy Tree Project, visit www.legacytreeproject.com. For more information on Valent and Safari®, visitwww.valentpro.com
For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.
