This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
A non-native pest is spreading across our country and creating devastation in our urban forests. That pest is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). It is not only killing ash trees, but also creating costly ripple effects that communities and residents are left to bear. The best action for all is to have a plan.
A non-native pest is spreading across our country and creating devastation in our urban forests. That pest is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EAB has been confirmed in 31 states, including Colorado. It is not only killing ash trees, but also creating costly ripple effects that communities and residents are left to bear. The best action for all is to have a plan.
Update on City of Longmont’s EAB Management Plan Implementation
Emerald ash borer (EAB) was discovered in Longmont on June 6, 2016 near the intersection of 9th Avenue and Hover Street. Forestry Services has identified 2,790 City-managed ash trees, accounting for approximately 13% of the public tree population. In the summer of 2016, Forestry Services started contracting treatment of high-value ash trees that are 10 inches in diameter or greater. To date, a total of 725 City-managed ash trees have been treated. Additionally, 200-250 ash trees will be treated in 2018. Treatment will help maintain many of the high-value ash trees that provide environmental benefits, shade, and character to the City of Longmont.
Treating high-value ash trees to protect them from EAB is critical, but pruning is also necessary to maintain healthy structure and prevent branch failures during weather events. Forestry Services has pruned 506 ash trees since finding EAB, but will continue to struggle to meet the pruning demands of Longmont’s public trees.
To date, Forestry Services has removed 349 ash trees, with about 50 more planned this fall, that do not meet Longmont’s criteria for treatment. Only about half of the stumps from ash tree removals have been ground thus far and further backlogs projected.
EAB will continue to challenge Forestry Services to meet the workload it creates as it spreads throughout Longmont. Learn more about the City’s EAB Management Plan and find information to create a plan for your property at LongmontColorado.gov/forestry. There, you can also see maps of City-managed trees that have been treated as well as those planned for treatment in 2018.
This is a news release from the City of Longmont and is published by the Longmont Observer as a public service.
