Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Management Plan
2008 Minutes | 2007 Minutes | Tree Commission Agenda
An Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan
Village of Whitehouse, Ohio
Purpose: By implementing the provisions in this management plan, the Village of Whitehouse is attempting to reduce the disruption to its urban forest caused by the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Taking a proactive approach to this invasion will enable the Village to address public and private needs in an efficient and effective manner.
The Village will endeavor to distribute and budget costs associated with certain and massive tree death over a manageable time period, as well as lessen the social and economic impact that such an extensive loss will have on the quality of life in our community.
This plan applies throughout the Village on all public properties where ash trees are currently growing, as well as on private properties where such trees may encroach upon the public rights-of-way or other public properties.
Administration: The Service Department staff will be responsible for implementing this plan and seeing that its provisions are carried out.
Definitions:
Canopy cover. The upper part of a tree made up of branches and leaves.
EAB. Emerald Ash Borer
Non-EAB host species. Trees that are not ash trees.
Public rights-of-way. Property where Village roadway and utilities are located.
Urban forest. Village trees.
Village. Village of Whitehouse, Administration, and staff.
Ash Removal: The Village will maintain an inventory of all ash trees growing on its rights-of-way, in parks, and on other municipal properties. For each ash tree a record of its location, size, and condition will be maintained. An estimated budget and time frame will be generated from the inventory data and presented to Village Council in August. The Village will systematically remove all affected ash trees. Tree removal will be prioritized with hazardous trees being removed first followed by those that are no longer assets to the community (dead, dying, diseased, or mis-sited). Utility contractors will be encouraged to remove all diseased ash trees within easements as part of their normal line clearance activities. This must be done in a timely manner. An ash tree inventory spreadsheet or database will be updated to record the removal, treatment, or status of each ash tree.
Wood Utilization and Disposal: The Village will control the use of the wood generated during the removal program in compliance with existing state regulations.
Communications: The Mayor, Village Council, Tree Commission, and department heads and residents will receive periodic briefings through Council meeting reports, the quarterly Hometown News Newsletter, area newspapers, and the Village website.
Education: Staff and Tree Commission members are urged to attend State seminars addressing the EAB problem and to keep current with the latest information through the various educational web sites. esidents will receive EAB updates through the Hometown News newsletter and the Village web site.
Canopy Replacement and Care: As the budget permits, removed public ash trees can be replaced with non-EAB host species that will enhance the planting site and add to the diversity and general health of the urban forest. Trees will be planted in accordance with Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association/Ohio Division of Forestry Tree Planting Specifications. Plants will be budget based and prioritized by canopy cover goals as identified by the Village Forester.
Private Ash Trees: The Village will create and maintain an EAB informational page on the Village web site (www.whitehouse.ohio.gov). A copy of the Village EAB Management Plan will be available on the web site. The Village can provide guidance for replanting through the list of desirable trees that has been adopted by the Tree Commission.
Contact List:
1. Marianne Prue, Emerald Ash Borer Urban Forester, Ohio Division of Forestry, 419-429-8304, e-mail: marianne.prue@dnr.state.oh.us
2. Stephanie Miller, State Urban Forester, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840, 419-429-8313, e-mail: Stephanie.Miller@dnr.state.oh.us
4. www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab
Approved Contractors: An approved Contractor List is in place and maintained by the Village for related needs.