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Tree board cites canopy erosion, highlights 557 plantings and emerald ash borer guidance
Summary
At its Jan. 2 meeting, the City of Evansville Tree Advisory Board reviewed a university canopy study showing canopy loss, noted 557 trees planted in 2024, discussed Emerald Ash Borer treatment guidance, and planned outreach and presentations to City Council.
The City of Evansville Tree Advisory Board on Jan. 2 discussed a university study that shows local tree canopy erosion and reviewed last year's planting work, saying the city planted 557 trees in 2024.
The study, conducted by Indiana University as part of a multi-city effort, identified the city's inner city and the northeast side ' roughly the Green River Road area ' as locations with particularly low canopy cover, board members said. "We planted 557 trees," Sean, a city staff member, said while reviewing the accomplishments report.
"One of our biggest problem areas... is the Northeast Side, which I will equate roughly to the Green River Road area," Mike, a Tree Advisory Board member, said. He noted many parcels there were developed prior to current zoning and lack street canopy. Mike said the study provides a "road map" for where the board should focus future plantings and public outreach.
Board members said much of the canopy loss is beyond the board's direct jurisdiction because it is on private property, and they discussed approaches to encourage private-property planting. The board also said it plans to refine its accomplishments narrative and present the revised report to the City Council early in the calendar year.
The board received an update on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) control. "For emerald ash borer, anything with a trunk greater than about 16-inch diameter, the homeowner applications don't work," Larry, a board member, said. He encouraged owners of large ash trees to seek licensed applicators for professional injections; he said some professional products (he named emamectin benzoate) can be applied on a multi-year cycle and work effectively when administered by professionals. For smaller ash trees, he said, soil granular treatments can be effective.
The board also reviewed outreach and training plans for 2025: scheduled tree pruner licensing seminars on Feb. 6, May 8, Aug. 7 and Nov. 6 at the C.K. Newsome Center, and preliminary plans for an Arbor Day tree giveaway in March. Members recommended follow-up with recipients from past giveaways to assess tree survival and improve future distribution and species selection.
Board members praised recent plantings around city corridors and the riverfront and urged continued partnerships with the solid waste district and Tree City USA utility partners. They discussed downtown site review activity and said they will contact a developer re: tree wells for a proposed housing project at the old Deaconess facility site on Chestnut/Cherry to ensure perimeter plantings meet canopy goals.
The board said it will continue work this winter to finalize goals for 2025'27 and to coordinate with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation on school-tree projects. The board intends to return to the canopy item in February to finalize a presentation for council and public outreach.
