As the emerald ash borer tree infestation reaches its peak, strategies have shifted from treating trees, to removal and continuing to plant for the future. City Forester Josh Obermeyer recently led a video tour through two city parks to highlight what the city is doing and offer thoughts on how residents should respond.

What should residents do?

It is important to remove trees that pose risk to people or property. Trees in wooded areas do not need to be removed and actually provide habitat. While property owners are responsible for trees on their land, they can report risk trees along the roadway.

Can infested trees be saved?

Generally no, unless your trees were treated prior to 2022. The city continues to treat 100 high-quality ash trees.

What is the city doing?

The city will continue to remove infested trees from the right-of-way along roads and trails. At this point, crews have covered about half of the city streets and 25 miles of trails. We also continue to plant a diverse mix of tree species, replacing lost ash trees on a 1:1 ratio.

What does the future look like?

Tree removal will continue for the next several years, but as the city continues to invest in its community forest, new trees will quickly grow to replace gaps in our tree canopy.