Village of Westmont continues emerald ash borer battle

WESTMONT The village of Westmont continues to excavate trees infested with the emerald ash borer and recently released a schedule for removing and replanting trees throughout the community.

While the villages forestry department is handling a portion of the tree removal, Westmont-based Vidito Tree Experts also had been contracted to remove 54 ash trees and 200 stumps. The $34,718 expenditure was approved earlier this year and another company could be contracted if deemed necessary, according to the village.

The reality is that the emerald ash borer problem is too large a problem for our internal staff to take care of on its own, Village Forester Jon Yeater said. Because of this situation, the village has approved funding to hire additional resources to address the problem. We are hoping to accelerate our tree removal program over the next six months, but we do ask residents to be patient during this process.

Ash trees become infested with the emerald ash borer when the larvae feed on inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the trees ability to transport water and nutrients and eventually killing its host.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed four years ago, the emerald ash borer had made its way to Westmont. At that time, there were about 2,000 ash trees on public property. Since then, about half the trees have been removed.

The village is removing trees in Oakwood Subdivision. Starting this fall, the program will focus on tree removal in the Ashford Subdivision and surrounding areas:

In September: All removals in the northeast downtown and northeast sections of the village (near Burlington to Ogden avenues, and Cass Avenue to South Wilmette Avenue and Richmond Street).

In September and October: All removals in the southeast downtown (near Quincy Street to 56th Street and Cass Avenue to Richmond Street).

In October and November: All removals in Farmingdale Subdivision and surrounding areas.

In December and January: All removals in Deer Creek and Sycamore Run subdivisions and surrounding areas.

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Village of Westmont continues emerald ash borer battle