Courtesy of the City of Naperville
Week Will Encourage Resident Education and Promote Open House on April 30
In response to the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer (EAB), the City of Naperville is proclaiming Friday, April 27 through Friday, May 4 as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. Events include an open house for residents to learn more about the treatments being used to fight the beetle.
“This week is being established to encourage all citizens and civic organizations to increase their understanding and awareness of the emerald ash borer and its environmental, ecological and economic impact on the quality of life for the community,” Forestry Supervisor Jack Mitz said.
As part of EAB Awareness Week, the City will be hosting an EAB Open House from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 30 in Meeting Rooms B&C of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Residents may stop in at any time during the open house for information about the EAB and to learn more about the City’s EAB treatment program, as well as options that can be considered for treating private ash trees.
The EAB was first discovered in Naperville in 2008 and has destroyed healthy ash tree populations throughout the Midwest. Ash trees are the most numerous species in the City’s parkway tree inventory, representing about 25 percent. The City is currently implementing an aggressive multi-year treatment plan for all healthy ash trees that are located in the City’s parkways to reduce the devastating effect of the beetle in the community. If the City does not treat any of the parkway ash trees, it is expected that all of the ash trees will be dead within five years.
Homeowners with parkway trees that receive treatment are being notified with a door hanger indicating what treatment has been performed. Treatments are being performed in April, May and early June to protect the trees for this season. The City will also be placing green ribbon around select ash trees throughout the community as a way to educate residents about ash trees and the EAB.
Badly infested parkway ash trees will be removed. Residents will be contacted if their tree needs to be removed.
Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/eab.aspx to view an interactive map that will allow them to track treatment progress of parkway trees in their area. The map also indicates the size of parkway trees and what treatment, if any, has been completed.
Residents and those interested in the EAB are encouraged to register on the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx to sign up for the EAB eNewsletter. For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.
Since 2010, this Web site has included information about the history of the Emerald Ash Borer in Naperville.
