City is participating in Legacy Tree Project to help save ash trees
For the second year, the City of Naperville is participating in the Legacy Tree Project, an innovative Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment program performed in partnership with Valent.
As part of the Legacy Tree Program, Naperville was selected to receive free treatment of 200 ash trees over the next five years with a product called Safari® Insecticide, developed by manufacturer Valent. Valent is also paying all labor costs for treating the 200 ash trees in the Indian Hills subdivision. The Safari® product is injected at the base of the ash trees, resulting in no exposure to humans or pets. This generous donation is valued at more than $10,000 per year for the next five years.
The EAB was first discovered in the southwest portion of Naperville in June 2008. In subsequent years, several more subdivisions have shown signs of this small, metallic green beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across the Midwest. In Naperville, more than 300 parkway trees have been removed since 2008 due to EAB infestation, which continues to increase at an exponential rate in the City and surrounding communities. The City is treating approximately 3,500 other ash trees on City property in 20 of the most heavily impacted subdivisions.
“Should homeowners wish to attempt to save their ash trees, treating them now is essential,” City Forester Jack Mitz said in a recent press release. “If homeowners have questions or concerns, they should consult with an arborist to help assess if the tree they have is indeed an ash tree and if they want to attempt to save it. Various treatment options are available, and one should weigh the treatment expense with the value that the trees provide in energy savings, property value enhancement and numerous environmental benefits against the removal and replacement costs if the trees are left untreated.”
In order to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, the Department of Public Works has developed a containment strategy which consists of removing all badly infested ash trees, inspecting ash trees and coordinating efforts with the State of Illinois, townships and the Naperville Park District. The City’s Forestry Division works with 10 certified arborists that are trained to look for signs of the presence of the EAB and actively check parkway ash trees everyday during their regularly scheduled work. More information about the EAB, including symptoms of infestation and treatment options, is available at www.naperville.il.us/eab.aspx.
—Info released from the City of Naperville / Posted June 15, 2011
