Recently, Boulder County announced plans to proactively remove ash trees and replace them with another variety of tree that isn’t susceptible to the deadly emerald ash borer.
The city council has agreed to spend almost $185,000 to manage the potential threat of emerald ash borer to ash trees on county-owned properties under multiple budget proposals.
Although most of the money will be spent removing trees, Boulder County will also temporarily protect certain ash trees with an injection intended to prevent or at least delay the damaging effects of emerald ash borer.
Trees included in the pesticide injection program include two mature ash trees that line the courtyard at the Boulder County Courthouse on Downtown Boulder’s popular Pearl Street.
The plan is to start in 2016 and will ultimately take multiple years to complete (following strict guidelines already in place to manage emerald ash borers). The county commissioners set the guidelines in order to deal with an estimated 1,500 ash trees located on county property.
In order to cover the expense of tree removal, buying and planting of replacement trees, along with disposal of old trees, the county Parks and Open Space department is seeking $58,358.
Another $20,000 is being requested to cover similar expenses and the replacement of 200 ash trees located around Boulder County buildings. The Transportation Department is looking to receive $77,056 to remove 697 ash trees along county roadways.
Emerald ash borer was first detected in Boulder, CO on September 23rd, 2013. At this time, it has not been found outside of Boulder County yet, however according to the Department of Agriculture, it may have been in Boulder for almost three years before being detected.
As Boulder’s emerald ash borer management plan continues to unfold, it reminds Colorado residents of how destructive this pest can be on communities and why it’s important to be proactive rather than reactive. Swingle highly encourages those with ash trees in the Front Range to be proactive by planning now before it’s too late. Commercial property managers and owners should develop an emerald ash borer management plan and homeowners should understand their options.
