Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emerald Ash Borer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reports emerald ash borer activity; Solid Waste District funds treatments and Oak Hill twilight tour to raise sponsorships
Summary
The board said some ash trees have passed the point of treatment and that the Solid Waste District approved funding for treatments. Members urged treating ash trees every two years while the pest is active. The board also announced an Oct. 18 twilight tour at Oak Hill Cemetery to help raise sponsorships for tree care.
The Evansville City Tree Advisory Board received an update Sept. 4 on emerald ash borer (EAB) treatment and on related fundraising events. Board members said the Solid Waste District has approved funding for treatments due now, but field inspections found some trees already too far gone to save.
"I have looked at all the trees that are on the treatment list and unfortunately some of those are dead. I think it's about somewhere around 15% of the trees had to be taken off that list because they were past the point of treatment," the board representative said. The board discussed published best practices and recommended treating ash trees every two years while EAB populations remain active in the area rather than every three years.
Board members described the annual Oak Hill Cemetery twilight tour as a fundraising and outreach event that supports tree-saving sponsorships. The tour is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 5 p.m.; admission was described in the meeting as $15 per person with an option to pay online. A volunteer, Lori Selma, was identified in the meeting as helping to organize the event and was noted as a Montessori Academy teacher.
Members also discussed that some ash trees have not been sponsored within expected time frames, and that earlier treatment intervals (every two years) are preferable while the insect is most active. The Solid Waste District contribution and the twilight-tour fundraising are intended to help cover treatment costs for trees that can still be saved.
No new regulatory action or citywide treatment mandate was adopted at the meeting; the discussion focused on funding availability, inspection findings and outreach events to support continued treatment work.
