Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Shorewood Hills

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed earlier this week that the insect Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was present in several private ash trees in Shorewood Hills on Blackhawk Drive.

Shorewood Hills is one of the last communities in Dane County to find the devastating invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across the country. Fortunately, that also means we are well prepared to handle the problem. An EAB readiness plan was created in 2007 and most recently updated in 2014. The Village Forestry and Parks Department has been proactively removing and treating public ash trees for over 5 years. A special “Thank You” to all the residents and business owners who have “Adopted an Ash” in the Village and funded treatments to protect public ash trees against the beetle.

What does this mean for residents now?

1. If you have ash trees on your property, a decision needs be made as to whether they should be treated or removed. Don’t wait until they are infected. Dead trees are more expensive and dangerous to remove. Unfortunately, all untreated ash trees will eventually become infected and die. https://hort.uwex.edu/files/2014/11/Is_My_Ash_Tree_Worth_Treating_for_Emerald_Ash_Borer.pdf

2. Do not move firewood out of the EAB quarantined area (especially northern WI). See map of quarantined counties. http://datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/eab/articleassets/EABDetectionsQuarantines.pdf

3. Ash trees that are infected with EAB are considered a public nuisance (like oaks wilt and Dutch elm infected trees) and must be removed as soon as possible.

4. Replant and diversify the tree species on your property. Help us grow and maintain a beautiful and healthy tree canopy in Shorewood Hills.

More information about Emerald Ash Borer in Wisconsin can be found at http://datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/eab/index.jsp. Questions regarding the Village’s EAB management efforts may be directed to the Village Forester, Corey George, 267-2680 or cgeorge@shorewood-hills.org