Hinsdale Board Approves Ordinance to Fight Emerald Ash Borer
In addition to the removal of infected parkway trees by the village, residents will be responsible for removing private trees that are infected.
The Village of Hinsdale Board of Trustees approved an ordinance Tuesday night that seeks to protect the thousands of ash trees in Hinsdale by removing those parkway trees stricken by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and ordering residents to remove private trees that are infected.
According to the ordinance, there are 1,900 ash trees on village property—approximately 10 percent of the total public tree population—and “as many or more” on private property in the village.
The ordinance amends the section of the municipal code dealing with the prevention of Dutch Elm Disease, which village forester John Finnell said has affected Hinsdale trees for more than 40 years, so that it applies the same village policy to trees affected by the more recent EAB epidemic.
According to Finnell, if the village determines that a resident’s private tree is infected with EAB, the resident will have 30 days to remove the tree. If the tree is not removed within 30 days, the village will remove the tree and then either bill the resident or file a lien for the removal cost.
The village would be responsible for the removal of parkway trees determined to be infected with EAB.
“What we’re trying to do is reduce the amount of insects that are in town,” director of public services George Franco said.
EAB is a green beetle that attacks only ash trees, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture (DOA). Its larva feed on the inner bark of the tree, which hampers the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. The DOA says EAB was first identified in Illinois in 2006 and the pest most commonly spreads from one tree to another via the transport of firewood and landscape waste.
Prior to the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, the Environment and Public Services (EPS) Committee discussed preventative measures ash-tree owners can take to avoid EAB infestation.
According to Finnell, pesticides can either be directly injected into the trunk of an ash tree, or can be poured around the base of the trunk in an effort to drench the tree’s roots.
Estimates from local tree companies for both the injection and root-drenching methods are available on the village’s website. Root-drenching ranges from $1.28 to $5 per trunk-diameter-inch. The injection method is more expensive, ranging from $8.98 to $12.50 per trunk-diameter-inch.
Trustee Bob Saigh sits on the EPS Committee and said he has employed the root-drenching method for two ash trees, which are currently healthy.
Rob Gorden
12:05 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
While I find it outstanding that treatment options are being recommended or considered for city and residential trees, there are several problems here, that will lead to confusion, and potentially unprotected trees.
First, trunk injections may use several different chemicals. You need to know what you are asking for. The university testing is quite clear what has been most effective. Go to www.emeraldashborer.info and look for the article on "insecticidal options for controling EAB" it will discuss the most effective trunk injection method and others, but look for two years of protection, even under intensive pressure, a single application. Use it for the greatest chance for survival of your trees.
Second, don't compare prices as they stand: Trunk injection with this two year control product requires one treatment for two years of protection. The imidacloprid injected product requires annual injection, and the research has not been as consistently affirmative. Soil drenches are all done once every year, so again you must consider two treatments for each trunk injection.
Most city trunk injections are treated for half the cost of private treatment, and most cities retreat, every 3rd year.
When using the recommended trunk injection method (see above), even trees that are infested can be saved. A tree up to 40% canopy loss can be brought back, and the tree doesn't need to be cut down. Only severely declining trees need be removed, and the city needs to modify it's statue.
Joe O'Donnell
8:54 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thanks for the info, Rob. Very useful.