Crest Hill approves first ash tree removal program

CREST HILL Crest Hill became the latest Will County municipality to tackle the emerald ash borer beetle after the City Council this week agreed to spend up to $50,000 for ash tree removal.

More than a fourth of the citys parkway trees are ash trees.

The city authorized Reasonable Tree Experts of Crest Hill to remove the ash trees at a cost of $15.75 an inch for trees less than 15 inches in diameter, and $44.75 an inch for trees with diameters of 15 inches or more.

The cost includes the stumps being removed 10 inches below grade and topsoil and seeding of the area where the tree stood.

Mayor Ray Soliman said that a study conducted by Joliet Junior College horticulture professor Fredric Miller found that out of the citys 1,210 parkway trees, 317 are diseased ash trees.

Miller, who also researches insect and mite pests of woody landscape plants and nursery crops at the Morton Arboretum, analyzed Crest Hills parkway trees with students.

We have quite a task ahead of us, Soliman said.

This is the citys first action in getting rid of ash trees. The budgeted funds will help remove 100 to 125 of the most diseased and dangerous ash trees this year. Soliman anticipates it will take three years to remove all the diseased ash trees.

The city will treat trees in parkways that are in the early stages of the emerald ash borer infestation. There are no plans to reimburse residents for removing ash trees from their own properties.

By partnering with JJC, the city saved about $23,000, the cost of a professional study, according to City Administrator John Tomasoski.

Here is the original post:
Crest Hill approves first ash tree removal program