EAB infested trees removed from downtown, population of ash trees declining in the city
A row of emerald ash borer infested trees on the east boulevard of Michigan Street in Prairie du Chien were removed last month. Planting of a new variety of trees is anticipated. (Photo by Gary Howe)
By Correne Martin
A row of emerald ash borer (EAB) infested trees on the east boulevard of Michigan Street in Prairie du Chien were cut down last month. This reduces the number of ash trees in the city, though the loss is not something new for the North American tree population.
EABs are exotic beetles that were discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002, according to the Emerald Ash Borer Information Network (emeraldashborer.info). The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients.
“Between storm damage and EAB infected trees, it’s a real shame to see some of our nice trees going away,” Co-Public Works Manager Terry Meyer said. He estimated the 11 trees taken down were about 30 years old.
The row of trees was removed downtown from near the former First Merit Bank property, now owned by Peoples State Bank. Meyer said a handful of other ash trees were recently removed from Park Street and Beaumont Road for the same reason.
“There are some that are about 25 to 30 years old down by Lochner Park still, and a few others. We did a topical treatment on them (to protect them). But that’s about it for the population of ash trees on city-owned property,” he pointed out. “We did an inventory of our trees a few years ago but we didn’t count those on private property. I’m sure there’s some ash on private property.”
As ash tree numbers decline, their future presence is uncertain. Someday they may not exist in the area at all.
“There’s hardly any chestnut trees left anymore,” Meyer said, comparing the decline to a similar species demise.
Now that the view on Michigan Street is much more open than it was previously, Meyer said, it is Peoples State Bank’s plan to plant other trees in the same location. Those will not likely be ash trees.
“Of course, it’s more appealing when you can drive down a street that has trees growing together overhead,” he added.
